Leroy Gibbs (Mark Harmon) may not be in charge anymore, but NCIS season 22 is still delivering shocking cases, dramatic moments between characters like Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) and Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen), and some funny banter. While fans are always curious about the state of Knight and Palmer’s relationship, they’re also invested in the professional and personal lives of all the other smart characters. There may be plenty of new and exciting 2025 TV shows, but procedurals like NCIS are still comforting and fun.
NCIS season 22, episode 17 is coming up next, and with only a few episodes left before the season 22 finale, fans are curious about where Alden Parker (Gary Cole) and his hardworking team are going to end up.
How To Watch NCIS Season 22, Episode 17, “Killer Instincts”
NCIS season 22, episode 17, “Killer Instincts,” will air on Monday, April 14th, 2025 on CBS at 9 p.m. E.T. If fans miss it when it airs, they can stream it on Paramount+ on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025. Subscribing to Paramount+ is a great way to catch up on each new NCIS episode along with other shows such as Yellowstone and 1923.
This is the first new episode of the popular series since season 22, episode 16, “Ladies’ Night,” which aired on March 31st, 2025. The show took a three-week break, but thankfully, fans can watch the new episode in just a few days.
“Ladies’ Night” has two main storylines: Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) wants to have some fun and not just work all the time, and then there’s the plotline that the episode title refers to. Robin (Lilan Bowden), Kasie (Diona Reasonover), and Jessica Knight spend time together for a “crafty chic” night out when a Petty Officer named Jennifer Garcia is murdered. As is the case on every episode of NCIS and similar shows like The Rookie, the main characters often try to have some fun and ignore real life, but something often comes up and they have to go back to work.
While the NCIS season 21 finale showed Knight accepting a new job with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California and moving away, she has thankfully appeared in plenty of the current season’s episodes. With fan favorite Leory Gibbs (Mark Harmon) gone, the series must have other smart and interesting characters who viewers can follow along with. Knight is one of the best ones, especially since she’s often working through how to have a life outside of her overwhelmingly busy career. In an interview with Parade.com, Law commented on Knight’s character growth and desire to lean more into what she wants out of life in season 22. Law said:
“I think we get to see Knight wild out a little bit this season and go back to her roots because I think between her father and wanting to climb up that ladder, she molded herself into something a little more structured than who she actually is.”
Will There Be An NCIS Season 23?
In February 2025, TV Insider reported that CBS renewed NCIS for season 23. The spinoff NCIS: Sydney was renewed for a third season, and the prequel NCIS: Origins was renewed for season 2. In March 2025, Wilmer Valderrama posted a video on his Instagram account and wrote:
“That’s a wrap on season 22. See you next season!”
NCIS premiered in 2003 and has been on the air for more than 20 years, which is a testament to the entertaining storytelling, astute characters, and life-and-death situations in each episode. It has surpassed the lifespan of many other procedurals, including Chicago P.D., which is currently on its 12th season. Since NCIS follows a typical broadcast fall-to-spring schedule, season 23 will likely premiere in September 2025 and finish in May 2026.