Current Main Cast of NCIS and Character Roles
The primary cast of NCIS centers on the Naval Criminal Investigative Service team based in Washington, D.C. The longest-serving lead is Mark Harmon, who played Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs from the series premiere in 2003 until his departure in 2021. The current lead is Gary Cole as Senior Special Agent Alden Parker, introduced in season 19. The ensemble includes Cote de Pablo as Ziva David, Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres, and Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer. Forbes provides a full cast and character guide.
CBS, the network behind NCIS, lists the show among its highest-rated scripted series. The series follows a procedural format with each episode focusing on a new case. The spin-off NCIS: Hawai'i launched in 2021 with a separate cast led by Vanessa Ray and Alex Tarrant. NCIS: Los Angeles continues with Chris O'Donnell and Daniela Ruah as the core agents. The franchise has produced multiple spin-offs, making it one of the longest-running scripted franchises on American television.
NCIS Cast Salaries, Contracts, and Earnings
Actor salaries on NCIS vary by tenure and contract structure. Mark Harmon earned an estimated $525,000 per episode during his final seasons, placing him among the top-paid TV drama actors. Gary Cole's reported per-episode salary for NCIS is in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, and Brian Dietzen have contracts with per-episode pay typically between $100,000 and $200,000, depending on the season and deal terms.
CBS Studios, the production company behind NCIS, is part of Paramount Global. The show's production budget supports a large crew, extensive location shoots, and multiple units. NCIS consistently ranks in the top 10 most-watched scripted series in the U.S. by Nielsen ratings. The series generates significant revenue through advertising, streaming rights, and international syndication. Paramount Global's SEC filings report segment-level revenue data.
NCIS Franchise Overview, Spin-Offs, and Audience Reach
The NCIS franchise includes NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: Hawai'i, NCIS: Sydney, and NCIS: Origins. Each series follows a similar investigative format with a focus on military-related crimes. NCIS: Los Angeles, which debuted in 2009, stars Chris O'Donnell and Daniela Ruah as Special Agents G. Callen and Sam Hanna. NCIS: Hawai'i, which premiered in 2021, follows a team based in Pearl Harbor. NCIS: Sydney, launched in 2023, is the first international installment set in Australia.
The franchise's audience reach extends to over 200 international markets. NCIS episodes are available on Paramount+ and other streaming platforms. The show's social media presence and rerun popularity contribute to its sustained viewership. NCIS has won multiple People's Choice Awards and is frequently cited as a top performer in the broadcast TV drama category.