# NCIS season 15

The fifteenth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS premiered on September 26, 2017, in the same time slot as in the previous seasons, Tuesdays at 8 PM. The season premiere was watched by 17.42 million viewers, picking up two months after Gibbs and McGee were last seen fighting a group of rebels in Paraguay and focused on the aftermath of those events. The season concluded on May 22, 2018 and contained 24 episodes.
NCIS revolves around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Jennifer Esposito, who portrayed Special Agent Alexandra Quinn, did not return as a series regular this season. Maria Bello joined the cast as Dr. Jacqueline "Jack" Sloane, NCIS Senior Resident Agent and operational psychologist (episodes 4–24). After 15 years of playing Abby Sciuto, Pauley Perrette left the show in episode 22 "Two Steps Back." Duane Henry, who plays Clayton Reeves, also left the show as he was killed off in the same episode. CBS renewed NCIS for both seasons fourteen and fifteen on Monday, February 29, 2016.

## Cast
### Main

* Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) of the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) assigned to Washington's Navy Yard
* Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto, Forensic Specialist for NCIS (episodes 1–22)
* Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, NCIS Senior Special Agent, Second in Command of MCRT
* Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres, NCIS Special Agent
* Maria Bello as Dr. Jacqueline "Jack" Sloane, NCIS Senior Resident Agent and Operational Psychologist (episodes 5–24; special guest episode 4)
* Emily Wickersham as Eleanor "Ellie" Bishop, NCIS Special Agent
* Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Assistant Medical Examiner for NCIS
* Duane Henry as Clayton Reeves, MI6 intelligence operative (episodes 1–22)
* Rocky Carroll as Leon Vance, NCIS Director
* David McCallum as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, Chief Medical Examiner for NCIS

### Recurring

* Joe Spano as Tobias Fornell, former FBI Senior Special Agent
* Robert Wagner as Anthony DiNozzo, Sr., father of former NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo
* Jack Conley as Danny Sportelli, Metro P.D. Detective Sergeant
* Margo Harshman as Delilah Fielding-McGee, DoD Intelligence Analyst and McGee's wife
* Patrick Labyorteaux as Bud Roberts, JAG Captain from Falls Church
* French Stewart as Paul Triff, incarcerated serial killer
* Laura San Giacomo as Dr. Grace Confalone, psychotherapist
* Marco Sanchez as Alejandro Rivera, incarcerated former official in the Mexican Justice Department and enemy of Gibbs
* Pej Vahdat as Nigel Hakim, British Humanitarian
* Kent Shocknek as Guy Ross, ZNN News Anchor
* Sumalee Montano as Nicole Taggart, NCIS Special Agent
* Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines, Forensic Specialist for NCIS and temporary replacement for Abby after she resigns
* Naomi Grace as Kayla Vance, Leon Vance's daughter
* Hilary Ward as Jessica Shaeffer, Defense Attorney
* Don Lake as Phillip Brooks, Navy Captain
* Peter Jason as Robert King, Biological Weapons Specialist

### Guest appearances

* Muse Watson as Mike Franks, deceased retired Senior Special Agent for NCIS and Gibbs' former boss
* Drew Carey as John Ross, retired Marine Sergeant
* Kevin Pollak as Albert Hathaway, convicted Investment Advisor
* Dan Lauria as Morgan Cade, Emergency Room Guard
* Trevor Donovan as Thomas Buckner, Navy Commander
* Susan Blakely as Cadence Darwin, Ducky's friend
* Gwendoline Yeo as Joanna Wright, NCIS Special Agent
* Jake Busey as Whit Dexter, Radio Host
* Mike Wolfe as himself
* Amanda Payton as Misty Boxlarter

## Production

The series was renewed for fourteenth and fifteenth seasons by CBS on Monday, February 29, 2016. It was announced that Jennifer Esposito, who portrayed NCIS agent Alexandra Quinn, had departed and would be replaced by Maria Bello as Agent Jackie Sloane — a new series regular, beginning with episode 15:5. Bello inked a three-year deal to remain with the show through until the end of its seventeenth season. Production began in July 2017 with the rest of cast members returning.
Showrunners Frank Cardea and George Schenck (in their first full season at the helm) wanted to focus Season 15 around a "good mystery and more stand-alone episodes than two or three-parters." However, they noted that they wouldn't shy away from multi-part episodes if the story was deemed worth it. This season included a three-episode arc revolving around serial killer Gabriel Hicks, the episodes being: "Burden of Proof", "Keep Your Friends Close", and "Keep Your Enemies Closer".
As to Quinn's departure, Special Agent Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) stated in 15:1 ("House Divided") that Quinn is now on leave taking care of her mother; this coincides with a running story-arc her character had maintained for some time. The specific turnover point between Quinn & Sloane's characters occurs at the end of 15:4, when Bello's character premieres. In another central casting announcement, TV Line reported on October 4, 2017, that founding NCIS actress Pauley Perrette would be leaving the role of "Abby Sciuto" after the conclusion of season fifteen. Perrette's final episode was episode 22, which aired on May 8, 2018. Also, in this episode, Duane Henry (Clayton Reeves) was written off the show.
NCIS was renewed for a sixteenth season on April 13, 2018, following a deal with Mark Harmon to return for an additional two years.

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
| 331 | 1 | "House Divided" | Tony Wharmby | Steven D. Binder | September 26, 2017 (2017-9-26) | 1501 | 13.29 |
| The team continues their search for Gibbs and McGee two months after they went missing fighting rebels in Paraguay. Vance and Torres are summoned to a congressional hearing regarding the fallout from said mission. ||||||||
| 332 | 2 | "Twofer" | James Whitmore Jr. | Scott Williams | October 3, 2017 (2017-10-3) | 1502 | 13.50 |
| NCIS investigate the body of a murdered Navy lieutenant, who disappeared over a year ago. Gibbs and McGee must pass a psych evaluation to official resume working. ||||||||
| 333 | 3 | "Exit Strategy" | Terrence O'Hara | Christopher J. Waild | October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) | 1503 | 13.60 |
| When an undercover cop suddenly reappears after faking their death 10 years earlier, chaos ensues. ||||||||
| 334 | 4 | "Skeleton Crew" | Rocky Carroll | Jennifer Corbett | October 17, 2017 (2017-10-17) | 1504 | 12.85 |
| In the midst of a storm that has shut down Washington, DC and knocked out power, the NCIS team investigates the kidnapping of a sailor, which sends Torres and Bishop out to sea to track evidence. Note: First appearance of Maria Bello as Jacqueline Sloane. She is credited as a "Special Guest Star." ||||||||
| 335 | 5 | "Fake It 'Til You Make It" | Thomas J. Wright | David J. North | October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) | 1506 | 13.30 |
| After Reeves sees his friend get kidnapped, the NCIS team discovers the primary suspect disappeared two days ago with confidential military information. Meanwhile, a photo from McGee's teenage years becomes a popular meme. Note: Maria Bello (Jacqueline Sloane) is added to the opening credits. ||||||||
| 336 | 6 | "Trapped" | Bethany Rooney | Brendan Fehily | October 31, 2017 (2017-10-31) | 1505 | 12.11 |
| After a petty officer is found murdered, McGee spends hours on a victim's ham radio trying to locate a key witness. Meanwhile, Palmer asks co-workers to donate to a charity that builds playgrounds for kids of all abilities. ||||||||
| 337 | 7 | "Burden of Proof" | Dennis Smith | Gina Lucita Monreal | November 7, 2017 (2017-11-7) | 1507 | 13.47 |
| Convicted felon Gabriel Hicks swears that NCIS framed him for murder a decade ago, so Gibbs begins his own investigation starting with a new autopsy by Ducky. They quickly determine two serious issues: the killer was left-handed while Hicks is right-handed, and there was a mysterious witness who was never found. Senior FBI Agent Fornell (Joe Spano) joins the team, since he was the lead investigator in the original joint FBI and NCIS case, but only to convince Gibbs that Hicks is lying. When the witness is found, Gibbs learns that not only was Hicks not the person they saw, but Fornell found her at the time and buried this evidence to convict Hicks. Forced to choose between destroying his friend's career or keeping an innocent man imprisoned, Gibbs reveals the evidence and Hicks is released. Gibbs later discovers that Hicks is in fact ambidextrous, meaning he played them all. ||||||||
| 338 | 8 | "Voices" | Tony Wharmby | Steven D. Binder | November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14) | 1508 | 13.08 |
| After voices inside a woman's head lead her to the body of a contractor suspected of corruption, the team is requested to use her to figure out what happened only to find she may be hiding more than she realizes. Meanwhile, McGee and Delilah disagree about finding out their child's gender. ||||||||
| 339 | 9 | "Ready or Not" | Terrence O'Hara | Scott Williams | November 21, 2017 (2017-11-21) | 1509 | 12.54 |
| While preparing for Thanksgiving, the team hunts for international arms dealer Andre Yorka, who recently murdered an MI5 officer who was Sloane's close friend. Things gets more complicated when the arms dealer shows up at the same hospital Delilah and McGee are in, and its up to McGee and Emergency Room Guard Morgan Cade (Dan Lauria) to keep everyone safe. ||||||||
| 340 | 10 | "Double Down" | Alrick Riley | Christopher J. Waild | December 12, 2017 (2017-12-12) | 1510 | 12.58 |
| Sloane and Torres are on assignment protecting a senator (and one of Gibbs' friends) in Afghanistan, but it is called off early when his son suffers a damaging fall. Sloane and Torres attempt to get the senator back to the U.S. as safely as possible, but due to the congressman’s continual interference in the hope of getting there faster, the group end up stranded in the desert after driving through a minefield on the wrong route, with insurgents in the area and life-threatening injuries. Now they must try to survive long enough to find a way to reach help while trying to get back before the son dies. ||||||||
| 341 | 11 | "High Tide" | Tony Wharmby | David J. North & Steven D. Binder | January 2, 2018 (2018-1-2) | 1512 | 14.10 |
| An investigation into a drug ring sends Torres and Bishop undercover as a criminal couple. ||||||||
| 342 | 12 | "Dark Secrets" | Bethany Rooney | George Schenck & Frank Cardea | January 9, 2018 (2018-1-9) | 1511 | 14.24 |
| A Navy Lieutenant JAG lawyer that appeared to have a happy life is found dead by her parents in an apparent suicide. Capt. Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux) helps in the investigation. ||||||||
| 343 | 13 | "Family Ties" | Rocky Carroll | Brendan Fehily | January 23, 2018 (2018-1-23) | 1513 | 13.97 |
| After McGee and Torres visit the home of a high schooler who witnessed a hit and run, her parents flee with their daughter, leaving NCIS in the lurch. ||||||||
| 344 | 14 | "Keep Your Friends Close" | Mark Horowitz | Gina Lucita Monreal | February 6, 2018 (2018-2-6) | 1514 | 13.90 |
| Sloane continues NCIS' investigation into serial killer Gabriel Hicks. The episode ends in a cliffhanger, as Hicks' lawyer’s car is blown up, leaving Sloane in the middle of the road, unconscious. ||||||||
| 345 | 15 | "Keep Your Enemies Closer" | Thomas J. Wright | Jennifer Corbett | February 27, 2018 (2018-2-27) | 1515 | 12.45 |
| Sloane determines that Gabriel Hicks killed his lawyer because she uncovered something that proves his guilt. Much to McGee’s ire, NCIS strikes a deal with Hicks' former cellmate, convicted murderer Paul Triff (French Stewart), giving him a 48-hour furlough at his former residence (now McGee's home) because in exchange, Triff would provide information that can convict Hicks. ||||||||
| 346 | 16 | "Handle with Care" | Alrick Riley | Scott J. Jarrett & Matthew R. Jarrett | March 6, 2018 (2018-3-6) | 1516 | 12.92 |
| The team works to clear the name of a retired Marine sergeant, who famously was held prisoner by insurgents for five years, when cyanide is found in one of the packages he sends to active-duty Marines. ||||||||
| 347 | 17 | "One Man's Trash" | Michael Zinberg | Scott Williams | March 13, 2018 (2018-3-13) | 1517 | 13.26 |
| Gibbs and Ducky see an antique war stick on television that could be the missing murder weapon to a 16-year-old cold case. Features a guest appearance from Mike Wolfe of American Pickers. ||||||||
| 348 | 18 | "Death from Above" | Rocky Carroll | Christopher J. Waild | March 27, 2018 (2018-3-27) | 1518 | 11.94 |
| The headquarters are evacuated when the team finds a body and bomb materials on the roof of the squad room. ||||||||
| 349 | 19 | "The Numerical Limit" | Leslie Libman | David J. North & Steven D. Binder | April 3, 2018 (2018-4-3) | 1519 | 12.23 |
| Gibbs is granted protective custody of a 10-year-old orphaned refugee when a case reveals she is the target of a violent gang. ||||||||
| 350 | 20 | "Sight Unseen" | Bethany Rooney | Brendan Fehily | April 17, 2018 (2018-4-17) | 1520 | 11.58 |
| NCIS searches for a petty officer suspected of assault who escapes when the sheriff transporting him crashes into a lake. Torres works closely with Annie Barth, a key blind witness who heard vital evidence needed to solve the case. At the end of the episode, Torres takes Annie to lunch, which seems to annoy Bishop. ||||||||
| 351 | 21 | "One Step Forward" | James Whitmore Jr. | Gina Lucita Monreal | May 1, 2018 (2018-5-1) | 1521 | 12.35 |
| A daughter begs Gibbs to investigate her mother's murder because she believes the police convicted the wrong man. Abby receives a hard-to-get reservation at a new restaurant that is cold like an igloo. The reservation is for two people, so Abby contemplates which of her colleagues to take with her. She eventually decides to bring Reeves after seeing his charity work with homeless veterans. The episode ends in a cliffhanger, with a mugger cornering Abby and Reeves in an alley, pulling a gun and demanding money. Reeves hands over his wallet, but Abby offers to help instead of giving up her purse. A single gunshot sounds. ||||||||
| 352 | 22 | "Two Steps Back" | Michael Zinberg | Jennifer Corbett | May 8, 2018 (2018-5-8) | 1522 | 15.08 |
| Reeves dies from injuries sustained in the gunfight with the mugger leaving Abby in the hospital. The mugger was hired by Robert King (see episode 6x21 "Toxic"), who held a grudge against Abby since his arrest, and Abby privately brings him to justice. Looking over Reeves' dead body in the autopsy room, Abby vows to carry on his wish to start a charity in his native London, deciding to leave NCIS to do so. 'Note: This is the final appearance by Pauley Perrette & Duane Henry as NCIS series regulars. They remain in the opening credits for the rest of the season. ||||||||
| 353 | 23 | "Fallout" | Terrence O'Hara | Teleplay by : David J. North & Christopher J. Waild Story by : Christopher J. Waild | May 15, 2018 (2018-5-15) | 1523 | 12.71 |
| While Gibbs attends the memorial service for a friend who was lost at sea, he discovers that the deceased has been hiding in a fallout shelter after his boat was attacked and he swam to shore. Meanwhile, the NCIS team has to come to terms with the reality of losing Abby and Reeves. ||||||||
| 354 | 24 | "Date with Destiny" | Tony Wharmby | Scott Williams & George Schenck & Frank Cardea | May 22, 2018 (2018-5-22) | 1524 | 12.07 |
| While on a blind date set up by McGee and Delilah, Sloane encounters a random man who she recognizes as one of her captors from her deployment in Afghanistan and gets arrested for attacking him. Vance, Sloane, and McGee investigate the identity of Sloane’s captor, and learn that the unidentified man is Nigel Hakim (Pej Vahdat), a British humanitarian worker attached to the British embassy. After replaying an audio recording for a Marine officer who was captured with Sloane, they properly identify Hakim as the captor. While Sloane attempts to assassinate Hakim, Gibbs intervenes and offers his assistance in apprehending him. Sloane’s efforts are proven to be futile when the team learns that Hakim had already left the country on another plane. The episode ends in a cliffhanger when, unknown to the team, Hakim has already kidnapped Vance. Meanwhile, the NCIS team investigates a naval destroyer for a potential bomb threat, which is later revealed to be a false report given by the captain’s son in order to spend more time with his father. ||||||||

## Reception

Season 15 was praised for its sharp cases and bringing new life into characters and series, with Matt Carter of CarterMatt.com citing "the arrival of Maria Bello and the creative direction of the new showrunners; this has been the best season overall since season 10" as chief reasons for this revival. Sara Netzley of Entertainment Weekly said, in reference to the positive changes, "now here's the show we’ve enjoyed for years", noting that it was "dark and twisty", giving it an 'A' rating.
Season 15 of NCIS was CBS's most watched and highest rated drama on their network for another year. While being the most watched drama nationally, beating NBC's megahit This Is Us and ABC's The Good Doctor, it also finished as the sixth most watched television program overall for 2017–2018 season.

## Home media

A DVD and Blu-ray of the fifteenth season of NCIS was announced for August 21, 2018.

## Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of NCIS season 15 :
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "House Divided" | September 26, 2017 | 1.6/6 | 13.29 | 0.9 | 4.13 | 2.5 | 17.42 |
| 2 | "Twofer" | October 3, 2017 | 1.4/5 | 13.50 | 0.8 | 3.89 | 2.2 | 17.40 |
| 3 | "Exit Strategy" | October 10, 2017 | 1.4/6 | 13.60 | 0.8 | 3.79 | 2.2 | 17.40 |
| 4 | "Skeleton Crew" | October 17, 2017 | 1.4/5 | 12.85 | 0.8 | 4.13 | 2.2 | 16.98 |
| 5 | "Fake It 'til You Make It" | October 24, 2017 | 1.4/5 | 13.30 | 0.7 | 3.83 | 2.1 | 17.14 |
| 6 | "Trapped" | October 31, 2017 | 1.2/5 | 12.11 | 0.8 | 3.85 | 2.0 | 15.96 |
| 7 | "Burden of Proof" | November 7, 2017 | 1.5/6 | 13.47 | 0.7 | 3.98 | 2.2 | 17.45 |
| 8 | "Voices" | November 14, 2017 | 1.5/6 | 13.08 | — | 3.65 | — | 16.74 |
| 9 | "Ready or Not" | November 21, 2017 | 1.4/5 | 12.54 | 0.6 | 3.54 | 2.0 | 16.08 |
| 10 | "Double Down" | December 12, 2017 | 1.4/5 | 13.08 | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | "High Tide" | January 2, 2018 | 1.5/6 | 14.10 | 0.8 | 3.87 | 2.3 | 17.98 |
| 12 | "Dark Secrets" | January 9, 2018 | 1.5/6 | 14.24 | 0.8 | 3.89 | 2.3 | 18.13 |
| 13 | "Family Ties" | January 23, 2018 | 1.5/6 | 13.97 | 0.8 | 4.20 | 2.3 | 18.17 |
| 14 | "Keep Your Friends Close" | February 6, 2018 | 1.5/6 | 13.90 | 0.8 | 4.11 | 2.3 | 18.01 |
| 15 | "Keep Your Enemies Closer" | February 27, 2018 | 1.2/5 | 12.45 | 0.9 | 4.26 | 2.1 | 16.72 |
| 16 | "Handle with Care" | March 6, 2018 | 1.4/6 | 12.92 | 0.8 | 4.43 | 2.2 | 17.35 |
| 17 | "One Man's Trash" | March 13, 2018 | 1.5/6 | 13.26 | 0.7 | 4.02 | 2.2 | 17.28 |
| 18 | "Death From Above" | March 27, 2018 | 1.3/5 | 11.94 | 0.8 | 4.35 | 2.1 | 16.29 |
| 19 | "The Numerical Limit" | April 3, 2018 | 1.3/5 | 12.23 | 0.7 | 3.73 | 2.0 | 15.87 |
| 20 | "Sight Unseen" | April 17, 2018 | 1.2/4 | 11.58 | 0.8 | 3.70 | 1.9 | 15.15 |
| 21 | "One Step Forward" | May 1, 2018 | 1.2/5 | 12.35 | 0.8 | 4.38 | 2.0 | 16.74 |
| 22 | "Two Steps Back" | May 8, 2018 | 1.6/7 | 15.08 | 0.9 | 4.32 | 2.5 | 19.40 |
| 23 | "Fallout" | May 15, 2018 | 1.3/5 | 12.71 | 0.7 | 3.80 | 1.9 | 16.51 |
| 24 | "Date with Destiny" | May 22, 2018 | 1.3/5 | 12.07 | 0.7 | 3.83 | 2.0 | 15.90 |