After 12 years, NCIS is digging into its past to bring back a familiar face. Season 23 will see the return of Roma Maffia as Vera Strickland, the short-lived but memorable replacement for Ziva David. It’s a nostalgic move as CBS’ flagship series works to recapture its former glory amid a packed NCIS universe – with NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, and NCIS: Sydney all airing new episodes this year.
Following a dip in ratings during season 22, and after Tracker dethroned it as network TV’s most-watched show, NCIS has been fine-tuning its formula. The first few episodes of season 23 have already impressed fans – and things are about to get even more exciting with the show’s first-ever crossover with NCIS: Origins.
In the upcoming crossover, Mark Harmon returns as Leroy Jethro Gibbs – physically reprising his iconic role for Origins’ segment of the event. Meanwhile, Maffia’s Vera Strickland will appear on the flagship series. First introduced in season 11’s “Under the Radar,” Vera served as Mike Franks’ last partner and temporarily filled in for Ziva before Ellie Bishop joined the team. Her return could finally expand her backstory and offer new insights into Gibbs and Franks’ past.
As for Cote de Pablo, her future with the main series remains open. After wrapping NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Paramount+, which gave Ziva and Tony a long-awaited happy ending in Paris with their daughter Tali, fans are hopeful she might return – perhaps even alongside Michael Weatherly. With their story still connected to the agency (and their on-screen wedding yet to happen), a reunion in D.C. isn’t off the table. And if that day comes, fans would love to see Gibbs there too.
