NCIS Season 21: TV release date and where to watch in Australia

One of the longest-running series of all time, the crime drama is back on with NCIS Season 21. First premiering in 2003, we are introduced to Special Agents of the Major Case Response Team from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Leading the NCIS team was Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the original protagonist of the series from season 1 until his departure in season 19.

The show’s renewal for season 21 was a major milestone for NCIS, which remains to be one of the most-watched police crime dramas in the US and other territories like Australia.

Where to watch NCIS Season 21 in Australia?

The new season of the NCIS will be available to watch on Paramount+ in Australia. 

As of this writing, it’s the only streaming platform confirmed to broadcast the show’s new season.

TV show	Streaming Service	Available?
NCIS Season 21	Paramount+	Yes – with Paramount+ free trial

NCIS Season 21 release date in Australia

The NCIS Season 21 release date in Australia happened on 13 February 2024. With the cliffhanger NCIS Season 20 finale, fans have been waiting for new episodes to drop. After nearly a year, season 21 is finally here.

But unlike the usual 20+ episodes like NCIS Season 20, the new season will only consist of 10 episodes.

NCIS Season 21	Release Dates	Streaming Services
Episode 1	Tue, 13 Feb 2024	Paramount+
Episode 2	Tue, 20 Feb 2024	Paramount+
Episode 3	Tue, 27 Feb 2024	Paramount+
Episode 4	Tue, 5 Mar 2024	Paramount+
Episode 5	Tue, 12 Mar 2024	Paramount+
Episode 6	Tue, 19 Mar 2024	Paramount+
Episode 7	Tue, 26 Mar 2024	Paramount+
Episode 8	Tue, 2 Apr 2024	Paramount+
Episode 9	Tue, 9 Apr 2024	Paramount+
Episode 10	Tue, 16 Apr 2024	Paramount+

Watch NCIS Season 21 on Paramount+

To watch NCIS Season 21, Australia has Paramount+ streaming the new season from 13 February. Paramount’s streaming app also houses several action dramas from CBS, including other NCIS shows, the FBI franchise, Blue Bloods and more. 

Fortunately, new customers can try it with a free trial. Once your free trial ends, there are two subscription plans to choose from: Standard or Premium with both plans also offering the option to pay monthly ($9.99/month) or yearly ($89.99). 

Standard offers TV shows and movies in HD and streams content on two simultaneous screens; Premium, on the other hand, increases the experience by offering 4K on up to four devices.

Stream selected seasons of NCIS on BINGE

BINGE offers complete episodes of NCIS from seasons 1-19, which you can access right away via a 7-day free trial. After your BINGE free trial period expires, you will be able to pick from three different BINGE plans for watching some of the best BINGE shows on demand.

A Basic subscription to BINGE costs $10 per month and allows you to stream in High Definition on one device, though it comes with ads. A Standard Plan is $18 per month and enables you to enjoy in high definition or 4K (selected content) on two devices.

The BINGE Premium Plan ($22 per month) is the last alternative, allowing you to stream on up to four screens/devices in HD or 4K. All BINGE plans subject to cancellation at any time.

Watch selected seasons of NCIS on Foxtel or Foxtel Now

Pay TV service Foxtel’s content partnership with ViacomCBS makes it possible for NCIS fans to stream episodes in Australia through Foxtel or Foxtel Now. As of this writing, you can watch selected seasons of the show on the Crime channel. 

Foxtel has Foxtel Plus, the cheapest entertainment bundle that already includes Crime, giving you access to over 60 channels of drama, lifestyle, docos, reality, kids, and more. You can even sign up with a 12-month plan and get monthly discounts using Foxtel’s latest offers. 

Foxtel Now, on the other hand, is Foxtel’s streaming alternative offering a free 10-day free trial. After your free trial period expires, the Foxtel Now base pack called Essentials pack is only $25 per month.

You’ll need to add the Drama Extra package to access Crime, the Foxtel channel airing NCIS in Australia. For more streaming options, premium packs like Sport and Movies can be added to your base plan.

What is the plot of NCIS?

The NCIS investigates criminal activities with Navy and Marine Corps ties, crimes of which range from murder and espionage to terrorism. Throughout the years, the show’s main cast members have changed, with David McCallum’s Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard and Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee being the only original cast members of the series.

Now in its season 21, the new season picks up where the cliffhanger NCIS Season 20 finale left off. Special Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) is entangled in a major predicament and getting out of it will bring bigger risks and sacrifices.

The new season also brings bittersweet changes, most notably the departure of the character Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard following actor David McCallum’s passing. He had been with the series since the very first season in 2003. In one of the new episodes, fans will certainly get an on-screen tribute to celebrate and grieve the life of the beloved character.

Previously in NCIS Season 20, Mark Harmon’s Agent Gibbs also left the series after being the face of NCIS for almost two decades. Finally finding peace in Alaska for the first time since his family’s death, Gibbs leaves NCIS in the episode “Great Wide Open” to embark on an unknown adventure. Replacing him is Gary Cole’s Alden Parker, a former FBI Special Agent-turned NCIS agent.

NCIS Season 21 trailer

The trailer for the new season isn’t out yet. You can watch the NCIS Season 2 preview instead below.

NCIS cast & characters

The initial seasons of NCIS introduced us to beloved characters – Sasha Alexander as NCIS Special Agent Caitlin Todd, Michael Weatherly as NCIS Senior Field Agent Anthony DiNozzo, Pauley Perrette as NCIS Forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto, and Cote de Pablo as NCIS Special Agent Ziva David, just to name a few.

Emily Wickersham also played NCIS Special Agent Eleanor Bishop from seasons 11-18 and Maria Bello as NCIS Special Agent Jacqueline Sloane from seasons 15-18.

Several new characters are now the faces of NCIS except Sean Murray who has been on the show since the first season.

There have been guest appearances throughout the seasons as well, such as Meredith Eaton playing Dr. Carol Wilson and Patricia Richardson as Judy Price Fielding, McGee’s mother in law.

You can check out the main NCIS cast below.

NCIS seasons guide

NCIS has been on television since 2003, airing a total of 20 seasons. The new NCIS Season 21 will drop new episodes from 13 February 2024.

Paramount Plus offers season 21, while BINGE has complete episodes from seasons 1-19. Foxtel Now also offers selected seasons for streaming on demand.

For more options, pay per view services like Apple TV offer all seasons of NCIS to buy.

Similar shows to NCIS you might like

The Foxtel Now and BINGE libraries offer a wide range of the best crime shows on television, which you can explore by checking out what’s on BINGE. 

When it comes to streaming awesome content, you can find similar titles when exploring what’s on Foxtel as well, since both streaming services mostly have the same TV and movie catalogue. 

Then there’s Paramount+ which also offers heaps of exciting content from CBS like NCIS and a growing list of originals. Find out what’s on Paramount+ this month to browse more titles. 

If you’re looking for more action dramas like NCIS, there’s plenty of choices to try across streaming, including other NCIS shows, FBI, Blue Bloods, S.W.A.T., Chicago PD, 9-1-1 and many more. 

Looking for other TV shows to stream? Start searching below.