NCIS Season 24 Cast Changes: Wilmer Valderrama Teases Character Death

‘NCIS’ Kills Off Major Character After 18 Years

Grab the tissues, NCIS fans.

Though the long-running CBS crime drama has seen no shortage of changes over the years, including during its milestone 500th episode, more cast movement may be on the way in season 24. At least, according to star Wilmer Valderrama.

"Look, every couple of years, you guys know NCIS has to make sure you're watching," the actor—who has portrayed Special Agent Nick Torres on the procedural since season 14—told People in an interview published June 2. "So, we shake up the TV a little bit and we listen. And we listen to where you as fans want to see us do. So, we always really pay attention to what our fans want to really experience on the show."

And after season 23 saw Director Leon Vance (played by Rocky Carroll) killed off after 18 years on the series, no character is safe from a jaw-dropping exit.

"If you ask me to speculate, I think there's a major, major shakeup happening," the That '70s Show alum continued. "I don't want to get in trouble for this one. Let me get in trouble. How about this? Next season, there's some major changes and there are some major additions. What does that mean for Torres? I can only hope that he makes it out alive."

Indeed, his character’s fate has been up in the year since the season 23 finale, when he and Mateo McGee (Patrick Keleher)—the son of Torres’ longtime colleague Timothy McGee’s (Sean Murray)—were shot at in an alley. And he warned fans that one of them definitely takes a bullet or two.

"To be honest, I don't think we figured that one out yet," the 46-year-old teased. "I don't think we have an idea yet. I asked, 'What do we want from it,' but I will tell you that someone does get hit and people might not like it."

Robert Voets/CBS

Fans will have to wait to find out the fates of Torres, McGee—not to mention the rest of the team Alden Parker (Gary Cole), Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) and Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen). But if any cast members need advice on how to expertly handle saying goodbye to the show, look no further than Carroll.

"For selfish reasons, I have to remind people: I’ve been a character on this series for 18 years," he told Variety in an interview published March 24. "Most Hollywood careers don’t last 18 years. So, to be able to play one character on one of the most popular shows in the world for 18 seasons, that’s the equivalent of living to be 105."

NCIS returns for season 24 this fall on CBS.

In the meantime, keep reading to see more TV stars who shocked fans by leaving their hit shows.

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