NCIS co-showrunner Steven D. Binder has addressed the potential of season 22 having a crossover with the upcoming spinoffs that are currently in production. Despite the recent cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i, the procedural franchise is expanding in new ways, thanks to the new spinoffs being produced. This includes NCIS: Origins about Gibbs in his younger years, as well as the serialized NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Paramount+, its titular characters being former team members from the original series.

Speaking with TVLine, Binder addressed the possibility that NCIS season 22 would include crossovers with either of its new spinoffs, Origins or Tony & Ziva. The showrunner said that, while no plans are in place right now for any crossovers, it’s a very likely possibility in the future. He also indicated how the brief return of Tony actor Michael Weatherly in season 21 could act as partial setup for his upcoming show too. Check out what Binder had to say below:

You know, that’s been a long-running creative process, going through several incarnations of things…. Let’s put it this way, I would love to. I would love to do that, and I don’t speak for Michael [Weatherly], but I have a feeling Michael would be up for anything like that. So, we’re all for it.

One thing that’s nice about [NCIS:] Origins is that it takes place in a different time period, so you’d need to get a little more creative if you want something to cross over from one episode to another. But that would be super-fun, too.

So, I’m absolutely open to any ideas anybody has. They are totally welcome to show them to me and see what we can come up with.

[Tony’s appearance in season 21 is] certainly a jumping off point that can be used, if that’s what you’re referring to, like the way it starts. But we might be able to do a little more than that.

How Could NCIS Have A Crossover With Origins Or Tony & Ziva?

With not much known about what will happen in NCIS season 22, it’s possible for the next batch of episodes to include a crossover with either of the upcoming spinoffs. Origins is slated for release during the 2024-25 TV schedule, while Tony & Ziva will arrive at an undisclosed point later on. Since most full season orders of the flagship series sit at a little over 20 episodes per season, it’s very likely the show will be airing at the same time its two new spinoffs are releasing episodes.

Tony & Ziva would be the easiest series for the original show to have a crossover with, since both characters have a connection to the core team. However, since the Paramount+ spinoff focuses on an overarching storyline, a crossover would likely be either setup or aftermath for its events. Either way, though, the connection between its two core characters and the main team make it the most likely spinoff to transpire. It will also be taking place in the same time frame, making it even more likely.

As for the other new show, NCIS: Origins takes place in the 1990s, decades before the events of NCIS season 22. Because of this, the only real way a crossover would work is if it involves an unsolved case from the prequel the team manages to piece together in the present day. However, this may not be as satisfactory because of a lack of interaction between characters in both shows. Even so, it’s clear there are ways all three series could come together, tightening the bond between the franchise’s many different entries.

Source: TVLine