NCISseason 22 is officially bringing back a fan-favoriteNCIScharacter and I already have seven guesses on who it could be. After being on the air for over twenty years and withNCISseason 23on the way,NCIShas a plethora of characters it can bring back for a memorable cameo. Over the course of its run, the crime-procedural has remained one of the most popular network TV shows, and with good reason. Its ability to craft invigorating storylines and complex characters is what brings the show to life.
AsNCISseason 22comes to a close, the writers have something exciting planned for the episodes leading up to the finale.NCISseason 22 will officially have 20 episodes and while no updates have been revealed about the finale just yet, episode 18 is set to be a special one. Theupcoming NCIS season 22 outing 18 will feature a returning characterwith at least one scene with Jimmy. Thefan-favorite returning inNCISseason 22is an exciting addition to the season and there is a high chance that it is one of these seven characters.
7Ziva David
A Member Of NCIS' Prime MCRT
Ziva David is one ofNCIS' best characters, and she is also the most likely character to appear inNCISseason 22. In aninterview withCollider, Brian Dietzen spoke out about the mysterious episode 18 and revealed that he “just did a scene with a wonderful guest star who you’re definitely going to recognize.” With Ziva’s close friendship and strong history withNCISand Jimmy, her reappearance onNCISis a major possibility. Read Dietzen’s full quote below:
We’re shooting our 18th episode. We have 20 ordered on the season. So this is the pre-pre finale, and it’s great. We got some good stuff going on…I just did a scene with a wonderful guest star who you’re definitely going to recognize, and I can’t talk about yet. But, but, teaser: it’s, it’s one that I think our fans are really going to love…With 22 years of catalog, you go back to a lot of people. But yeah, it’s pretty cool. Definitely a fan favorite.
Besides Ziva’s close connection toNCIS, her likelihood of returning is also high because of her upcomingNCIS: Tony & Zivaspinoff.Her return to theNCISfranchise means it is more likely that she will return to the flagshipand its spinoffs, either in a small appearance or as a recurring guest star in a crossover episode. After her backstory was revealed regarding why she had to fake her own death, she ended up on good terms with the team. Seeing her back in theNCISoffice would be amazing to see, even if it is brief.
6Gerald Jackson
Ducky’s First Medical Assistant In Season 1
Another possible candidate isGerald Jackson, Ducky’s first medical assistant, who worked with MCRT’s original ME before Jimmy officially joined the team. Gerald first appeared in theNCISpilot, “Yankee White.“He continued to be an important member of the team until theNCISvillain, Ari, shot him in the shoulder after he took him, Ducky, and Kate Todd hostage. Unfortunately, Gerald was a victim ofNCIS' work hazards.
Jimmy first joinedNCISas Ducky’s temporary medical assistant while Gerald was recovering from his injury.
After Gerald’s injury in season 1, he did not appear on-screen again until the two-part season 3 premiere. His reappearance was directly connected to Ari’s return. However, by season 3, Gerald was too traumatized by the risks that came with the job to continue. If Gerald returns inNCISseason 22, he is not likely to work as an ME again, but his medical expertise does make him well-suited to offer medical advice on a tough case.
5Alex Quinn
A Member Of The MCRT In Season 14
Jennifer Esposito’s Alex Quinnis another highly likely candidate to return inNCISseason 22. Alex was a major member of the MCRT in season 14. WhileQuinn only appeared onNCISfor one season, she is definitely a recognizable character. She was never meant to remain a main character for long, but her departure also left room for her to return.
In the season 14 finale,Alex revealed she was leaving to care for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s. As eight years have passed since Alex’s departure, it is logical that her priorities could have shifted. Her family life could have changed, or she could have sought out professional care for her mother. Either situation would allow Alex to return as a consultant for a case.
4Ellie Bishop
A Former MCRT Member That Left Without Saying Goodbye
Emily Wickersham’s Ellie Bishopis arguably one of the most controversial characters onNCISbecause of her exit. She was an important member of the MCRT for eight yearsand became close friends with all theNCIScharacters during her time on the show. Her betrayal and subsequent departure meant she did not get to say goodbye to her team. While she got to share a brief moment with Torres before she left, the rest of her team was not met with the same circumstances.
How Ellie Bishop Could Return to NCIS (Without Breaking The Law)
While Ellie Bishop, played by Emily Wickersham, has been written off of NCIS, there are two ways that she could legally be brought back.
Having her return toNCISseason 22 would give the entire team proper closure. AsDietzen revealed he will have a scene withNCIS' mystery guest, he and Ellie sharing a reunion on-screen would be the perfect touch to their past friendship. Given the guest’s limited appearance, Ellie could also easily return without necessarily having to break the law and put the team in an uncomfortable position.
3Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane
A Major Team Player For Multiple Seasons
Other than Ziva, Jack’s return would be another amazing surprise. Jack was a main character for four seasons until the stress of her workload ultimately contributed to her decision to leave. Throughout her time onNCIS,Jack stood out because of her work as a forensic psychologist. Her contributions were instrumental in catching several criminals, but with there being new cases all the time, her decision to leave was more than understandable.
InNCISseason 18,Jack revealed she was leavingNCISto continue the work of her late friend in Afghanistan. Her absence was immediately felt across the office in season 19, but her departure did leave the possibility for her return. While she mostly interacted with Gibbs during her time on the show, she also had great connections to the rest of the team. IfNCISseason 22, episode 18, has some connection to Afghanistan, Jack could easily make a reappearance.
2Abigail Borin
A Former MCRT Member Who Is Just Like Gibbs
Abigail Borin’s return toNCISwould also be a pleasant surprise. Abigail was a special agent as well, but rather than being a part ofNCIS, she was part of CGIS, the Coast Guard Investigative Service.Abigail appeared as a guest star throughoutNCISbetween seasons 7 and 12,with varying frequency. Her roles were especially entertaining because she was very similar to Gibbs, much to the amusement of the MCRT.
Abigail’s character is also highly recognizable and a definite “fan-favorite” given her similarities to Gibbs, so her return would be more than welcomed.
While Abigail has not appeared onNCISin 10 years, she never officially left the show. In theNCISuniverse, Abigail is still working as part of her role with the CGIS. AsNCISseason 22 has not featured many guest stars outside the team’s immediate caseload,Abigail could return ifNCISseason 22, episode 18, features a case that relates to the Coast Guard. Abigail’s character is also highly recognizable and a definite “fan-favorite” given her similarities to Gibbs, so her return would be more than welcomed.
1Erica Jane “EJ” Barrett
A Former MCRT Member With A Painful History With Jimmy
Given the mystery guest’s connection with Jimmy, one of the more interesting characters to return toNCISseason 22 would be EJ Barrett.EJ only appeared onNCISfor two seasons, in seasons 8 and 9, but she never officially left the show. EJ’s appearances were largely connected to her romantic arc with Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo. However, her interactions with the serial killer Jonas Cobb were also a significant aspect to her story.
Her departure had to do with the stress she endured in theNCISseason 8 finale when she and Jimmy were kidnapped by Cobb. She revealed in season 9 that she was going on a long vacation and has not returned since. However, her story’s ambiguous ending means that she can still come back toNCIS. Her shared trauma with Jimmy also makes it plausible that she is the mystery character that will return inNCISseason 22, episode 18.
