NCIS is back, and it is bringing back three of television’s biggest stars. Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, and LL COOL J all return to the franchise Tuesday, across four different shows. It is a franchise-wide homecoming that proves the NCIS brand can still fill a schedule with this kind of star power.
Harmon returns as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS: Origins, while Weatherly reappears as Tony DiNozzo in the main NCIS series. LL COOL J makes his series premiere as Senior Special Agent Sam Hanna in NCIS: New York. It is a franchise-wide homecoming that proves the NCIS brand can still fill a schedule with this kind of star power.
The rest of the night is full of other premieres and finales. Here is what to watch Tuesday, organized by time and network.
NCIS and NCIS: New York Lead the Night
NCIS premieres its 24th season at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. The episode deals with the fallout from the shooting involving McGee’s son while investigating a mysterious new threat to the Secretary of the Navy. Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, appears as an unexpected source of help for the team.
Then at 9 p.m. ET, NCIS: New York starts its first season. LL COOL J plays Senior Special Agent Sam Hanna, who returns to his hometown and partners with a roguish special agent played by Scott Caan. The series premiere sets up Hanna’s return to familiar ground with a partner who clearly brings a different approach to the job.
NCIS: Origins Opens Its Third Season
At 10 p.m. ET, NCIS: Origins premieres its third season. The show splits its storytelling between the present day and 1992. In the present day, ghosts from Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ past finally catch up to him. In 1992, the team races to rescue Randy, and Gibbs and Lala deal with the aftermath of their kiss.
The two timelines give viewers a chance to see how Gibbs’ past shapes his current decisions. It is a bold move for a procedural, and it shows the franchise is willing to lean into character history rather than just another case of the week.
The Other Big Premieres
Reasonable Doubt also premieres Tuesday, with the first three episodes dropping on Hulu. The show picks up after the aftermath of a shooting. When the Stewart Firm represents a loyal client in a high-profile case, they risk taking on more than they can handle.
The plot description suggests the firm is in over its head. It is a legal drama that knows it is asking a lot of its characters, and it promises to keep viewers invested through the first three installments.
Stand-Up Comedy and Cocktail Culture
Netflix has a new stand-up special from comedian Mojo Brookzz titled Mojo Brookzz: I Know You Lying. The comedian unloads on freaky partners, wild BBL culture, and his niece’s big coming-out present.
E! airs the penultimate episode of Cocktail Wars Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Joey, Lance, and Melissa pay tribute to the greatest cocktail city in the world: New York City. A lifelong Manhattanite and actor named Nathan Lee Graham drops in to add his perspective.
The Voice and Dancing With the Stars Round Out the Night
The Voice continues its blind auditions at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Coaches include Queen Latifah, Riley Green, Adam Levine, and Kelly Clarkson. The show is still in the early stages of its competition cycle.
ET airs Doc at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. The episode pairs Amy and Jake on a bizarre case that lays bare the still-raw feelings surrounding their fractured relationship. Gina grapples with her life choices when Walter returns to Westside.
Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living and The Real Housewives of New York City
Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living airs at 9 p.m. ET on BET. Jeremy becomes increasingly paranoid about his son’s safety, pushing away family and friends. When a sudden health scare hits, he must face the consequences of his behavior.
The Real Housewives of New York City arrives on Moskito Island for a luxury getaway hosted by Erika. The women take in the views and settle into their accommodations, and the trip gets off to an unforgettable start. The show’s first episode of the season promises drama from the very beginning.
BritBoxPenultimate Episode and The Drop: A Snowfall Saga
The Varnell Hill Show airs its penultimate episode at 10 p.m. ET on Paramount+. Varnell is excitedly preparing for his most successful guest to appear on the show: Raeshawn the Icon.
The Drop: A Snowfall Saga premieres at 10 p.m. ET on FX. Gerty and Big Daddy call a meeting and reveal a shocking family secret that changes everything, hoping to end Lamar’s music dreams.
Schedule at a Glance
| Time | Network | Show |
|---|---|---|
| 8 p.m. ET | CBS | NCIS (Season 24 premiere) |
| 8 p.m. ET | NBC | The Voice (blind auditions) |
| 8 p.m. ET | Fox | Doc |
| 8 p.m. ET | E! | Cocktail Wars (penultimate episode) |
| 9 p.m. ET | BET | Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living |
| 9 p.m. ET | Bravo | The Real Housewives of New York City |
| 10 p.m. ET | CBS | NCIS: New York (series premiere) |
| 10 p.m. ET | Hulu | Reasonable Doubt (first three episodes) |
| 10 p.m. ET | Paramount+ | The Varnell Hill Show (penultimate episode) |
| 10 p.m. ET | FX | The Drop: A Snowfall Saga |
What This Means for the Franchise
The NCIS franchise has been running for 24 seasons, and Tuesday’s lineup proves the franchise can support multiple shows at once, each with its own distinct identity. Harmon, Weatherly, and LL COOL J all bring their own energy to their respective roles, and the shows are structured to let them shine.
The multi-show premiere is a statement. It tells viewers that NCIS is still the dominant force in procedural television, and it is not afraid to use its biggest stars to prove it.
The shows also demonstrate the franchise’s willingness to experiment. NCIS: Origins uses dual timelines, Reasonable Doubt is a legal drama with a serialized arc, and The Drop: A Snowfall Saga is a standalone entry with its own mythology. These are not cookie-cutter procedurals, and they show the franchise is thinking about how to keep its audience engaged beyond the standard format.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday is a marathon of premieres and finales, and it is worth tuning in for. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer, there is plenty on the schedule. The NCIS stars alone justify the evening, but the supporting lineup adds depth to the night.
The franchise has delivered for years, and Tuesday’s lineup is proof of that. It is a reminder that the NCIS brand remains a cultural force.
For viewers, the question is simple: which show are you watching first? The answer depends on your mood, but the options are plentiful. Harmon, Weatherly, and LL COOL J are all back, and the shows are ready to welcome them home.
KEY FACTS
– NCIS: Season 24 premiere, 8 p.m. ET on CBS
– NCIS: New York: Series premiere, 9 p.m. ET on CBS
– NCIS: Origins: Season 3 premiere, 10 p.m. ET on CBS
– Reasonable Doubt: First three episodes, 10 p.m. ET on Hulu
– The Voice: Blind auditions continue, 8 p.m. ET on NBC
– The Real Housewives of New York City: Premieres on Moskito Island, 9 p.m. ET on Bravo
Source material: “What To Watch Tuesday: Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, And LL COOL J Return To The NCIS Franchise,” TVLine.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.