It was previously confirmed that NCIS season 17 will be arriving on the CBS for the autumn of 2019, through the official release date remains uncertain. For now, here's what we know so far about the upcoming installment.
CBS hasn't yet revealed when will NCIS season 17 officially arrives, but it can be noted that the preceding seasons premiered between September 19 and September 28. If ever it stays on Tuesday, fans can then expect the arrival of the program either September 20 or September 27, 2019. In the UK, Fox started airing the series a few weeks after it started on the CBS and this will reportedly continue until season 17.
As for the cast members, it was confirmed that Mark Harmon would return as Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the next installment. CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl confirmed this news, noting they "owe a huge debt of gratitude" to the production team, the cast, as well as Harmon. Meanwhile, Donald 'Duckie' Mallard (David McCallum) will reportedly leave the upcoming season after he went to semi-retirement in the show.
Right now, the plot details of NCIS season 17 was not yet revealed as well. But then, a lot of fans believe that Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) will return, as it was revealed in season 16 that the character was alive and she's living in Washington DC. That only means there's a huge chance that viewers will see her in the next installment.
In a report from TVLine, season 16 finale's final scene was not included to in any scripts or call sheet so they could keep Ziva's return under wraps. According to the report, the only ones who have copies of the scene pages are showrunners Frank Cardea and Steven D. Binder. The scene was reportedly filmed at midnight with a skeleton crew, which is over an hour after the full crew wrapped up the finale's scenes.
Also, de Pablo reportedly arrived via the back gate entrance to keep her arrival a secret and could film scenes with Harmon. In a statement, Cardea and Binder that this surprise is just the beginning and noted that de Pablo would be a guest star in NCIS season 17, as Ziva's warning to Gibbs will unfold.
Many also speculated the character would have a bigger role in the upcoming season, especially since Ziva has been missing in the show for years. The character was last seen in 2013, she left to go back to her native Israel and was initially assumed she died in a terrorist bombing on her house.
