'NCIS': Rocky Carroll Reflects on Reaching 450 Episodes, Ponders Major Returns
'I don't know what season it was when I said to myself, I think Vance is here to stay, but it was quite a while before I ever got that sense.'
www.tvinsider.comHere’s the latest on Rocky Carroll and NCIS.
What happened
- Rocky Carroll has returned to NCIS in a behind-the-camera role, directing an episode in season 23. He’s not appearing on screen in that arc, but he’s back in the NCIS family as a director [sources cited below]. This return follows his long run as Leon Vance and comes as NCIS continues to evolve its leadership dynamics on screen.[1][2]
Key details
- Directorial return: Carroll is directing a season 23 episode (the exact title has been reported as “S.O.S.” in some outlets), marking his 29th credited directorial effort on the series. The on-screen exit of his character, Leon Vance, occurred earlier in the season, but Carroll’s involvement behind the scenes continues.[2]
- On-screen status: He is not currently touring as a lead actor on the show in this arc, but his return behind the camera signals ongoing involvement with NCIS’s production team and its narrative direction.[2]
- Public reception: News of Carroll’s behind-the-scenes return generated discussion among fans and media, highlighting the show’s pattern of rotating leadership roles and the importance of actor-director contributions to long-running franchises like NCIS.[4][1]
What this might mean for NCIS
- Narrative potential: The return as director suggests NCIS is leveraging Carroll’s deep knowledge of the series to shape episodes with a veteran perspective, potentially influencing how leadership and command structure are portrayed in future storylines.[2]
- Future appearances: While there’s no official confirmation of Carroll returning on screen as Vance, there’s ongoing speculation that the character could appear in non-traditional formats (flashbacks or other storytelling) given his significance to the series.[2]
Where to watch and verification
- The directing episode aired on CBS, with reporting noting its place within the early 2026 arc of NCIS Season 23. Some outlets also highlighted the timing relative to the series’ broader changes this season.[1][2]
If you’d like, I can compile a concise timeline of Carroll’s NCIS involvement (on-screen and behind-the-camera) with dates and episode references, or pull quotes from the press coverage to illustrate fan and media reactions. Citations:
- NCIS directing return and episode timing coverage[1]
- Rocky Carroll directing episode and continuation of involvement after Vance’s exit[2]
- Additional commentary and fan/media reactions[4]