NCIS Season 18 restart date not set in stone

"Flight Plan" -- The NCIS team investigates an F-18 crash and the subsequent disappearance of the pilot who operated the aircraft. Also, McGee reluctantly discusses a very personal decision with his teammates, on NCIS, Tuesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Wilmer Valderrama as NCIS Special Agent Nicholas "Nick" Torres, Emily Wickersham as NCIS Special Agent Eleanor "Ellie" Bishop, Sean Murray as NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, Mark Harmon as NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Photo: Cory Osborne/CBS ©2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
"Flight Plan" -- The NCIS team investigates an F-18 crash and the subsequent disappearance of the pilot who operated the aircraft. Also, McGee reluctantly discusses a very personal decision with his teammates, on NCIS, Tuesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Wilmer Valderrama as NCIS Special Agent Nicholas "Nick" Torres, Emily Wickersham as NCIS Special Agent Eleanor "Ellie" Bishop, Sean Murray as NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, Mark Harmon as NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Photo: Cory Osborne/CBS ©2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

NCIS Season 18 is looking to start filming after Labor Day

There’s some good news. NCIS Season 18 is looking to get started soon. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Labor Day start isn’t set in stone.

Last week, Deadline shared that the flagship NCIS series was looking to return to filming on Sept. 9, the day after Labor Day. However, just recently Wilmer Valderrama hinted that filming could start up a little sooner, because the filming date was never set in stone.

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It’s all about what’s safe for everyone involved. It’s also about making sure the right protocols are in place.

There is also the chance that the show could start filming and then have to stop partway through due to a second wave in the pandemic. Meanwhile, just because the show is looking at a Sept. 9 return date, that date could need to be pushed back because of a continued problem around Los Angeles.

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What does the September return date mean for an NCIS Season 18 premiere?

CBS is banking on a regular fall season. However, that doesn’t mean the fall will begin in the last week of September as usual. In fact, a delayed start is looking more and more likely.

NCIS is still not back. NCIS: Los Angeles is looking to return to filming on Sept. 3, while other TV crime dramas don’t even have return dates (but do have the green light to film). The only show currently in the middle of filming is SWAT Season 4. The good news for NCIS is that the series is also in Los Angeles.

Should NCIS Season 18 start filming early September, it means the premiere date could be towards the end of October or start of November. While not the fall date we’re used to, it’s somewhat close.

We’ll keep you updated with everything we hear.

What do you hope to see during NCIS Season 18? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

NCIS Season 18 is set to air on Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS in the fall.