Bringing back Ziva’s original NCIS replacement addresses concerns about a cancelation in the franchise. CBS’ longest-running scripted show is also its most expansive one. It has three active spinoffs during the 2025-2026 TV cycle, with NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Paramount+ joining NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Origins. The flagship has had some struggles in recent years, but it appears to be bouncing back this year.

On the heels of Mark Harmon’s exit as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS season 19, the mothership underwent a slow but necessary rebrand. A few years into the process, it seems like the show is finally coming out of it, with its ratings finally bouncing back after declining in the last couple of seasons. However, while NCIS is likely coming back for season 24, a report from The TV Ratings Guide reveals that the numbers for its CBS spinoffs don’t seem to bode well for their future.

Vera Is The Perfect Person To Connect NCIS: Origins To The Flagship

One way, however, that could help increase NCIS: Origins‘ number and usher it to a possible renewal for next year involves Ziva’s original replacement in the MCRT — Vera Franks. Played by Roma Maffia in the mothership, the actor reprised the role for the first time since debuting 12 years ago as part of the monumental crossover with the prequel. NCIS: Origins season 2, episode 5, which was half of the said special TV event, posted the highest rating for the show thus far at 5.58 million viewers.

While the majority of that could be chalked up to Harmon’s physical appearance, Vera being the plausible connective tissue between NCIS and the period show, can usher viewers of the original to check out the offshoot. The character is played by Diany Rodriguez in NCIS: Origins and is the only character that the flagship can regularly bring back without spoiling anything about what lies ahead for Mike Franks’ Camp Pendleton team.