Beyond NCIS season 15, what’s the series’ lifespan?

This fall, NCIS season 15 is premiering on CBS, and we don’t think anyone would deny the achievement that comes with that. Think about the tiny percentage of shows that air for 100 episodes, let alone one that will be airing its 350th installment at some point in the spring 2018. The show’s done a lot right between tapping into a certain audience and having a great roster of performers past and present.

Now that we’ve got all of that out there, anytime you have a show this established, there are always going to be questions as to its future. Here, some of them may revolve in part around the future of one Mark Harmon. The show’s longtime lead will see his contract expire at the end of this season; while it’s possible that it could last beyond that, removing Gibbs from the equation changes a significant amount of the show’s overall structure. You just lost a year ago one of the other most influential people on the series in Michael Weatherly, and there are still plenty of people out there who miss Cote de Pablo even if she wasn’t an original cast member.

At present, there are three NCIS cast members who were present at the start of the show and still around: Harmon, David McCallum (Ducky), and Pauley Perrette (Abby). Meanwhile, you have two others in Sean Murray (McGee) and Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer) who were recurring at the start of the series but have since earned promotions. Bringing many of these people back is a key to keeping the show strong just as much Harmon.

It’s a little too early to speculate on the future of any longtime NCIS regular, just because we’re talking about something that could be figured out next spring or summer. The departure of Cote (or the exit of Daniel Dae Kim / Grace Park from Hawaii Five-0) proves further that some cast changes can happen at the very last minute. Let’s hope CBS brings a little more to the negotiating table this time around; many of their cast members deserve it.

Will ratings play a factor in the future of NCIS?

Eventually, yes — but they’re not there as of yet. The show was recently granted yet again the title of Most-Watched Show in the World, so obviously it’s doing just fine. It makes money in America, money overseas, and money via streaming / syndication. NCIS is a veritable goldmine, and CBS has no reason to cancel it even with declining live+same day ratings in America. It’s still one of TV’s most-watched dramas in the country.

Will NCIS end next season?

Probably not. It’s worth discussing pretty much on an annual basis at this point, but even with uncertain contract statuses there’s so much money here that we don’t see CBS putting the breaks on their flagship series anytime soon.

How long do you think NCIS will last? Share in the attached comments!

Meanwhile, be sure to head over here in the event you do want to secure some further news and teasers regarding NCIS right away. (Photo: CBS.)