NCIS Vet Rocky Carroll Directs New Season 23 Episode

NCIS is set to feature a familiar face in a new role as Rocky Carroll returns to direct an upcoming episode in season 23. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the series, which is undergoing significant changes, including the departure of a key character and a subsequent leadership gap.

Carroll, who was a fixture on the show for 18 seasons, will be directing the episode titled "S. O. S.", slated to air on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The episode will focus on the team investigating a Navy lieutenant's disappearance following a purported plane crash one year prior, with clues suggesting the incident was not an accident.

This directorial return is not Carroll's first, as he has previously helmed 29 episodes of NCIS. His continued involvement behind the camera is seen as a strategic move to provide stability and maintain continuity as the show evolves. This presence reassures fans during a period of transition, blending a sense of loss with familiar creative elements.

The series faces the challenge of balancing its established identity with necessary evolution after major cast changes. Carroll's return as a director is intended to reinforce the show's durability and creative core, offering a steady hand during this new chapter.