NCIS showrunner Steve D. Binder recently addressed the fate of Katrina Law’s character, Jessica Knight, following the season 21 finale. In an interview with TV Line, Binder discussed the uncertainty surrounding Knight’s future after she accepted a job at Camp Pendleton.
Binder remained cryptic about Law’s status in season 22, saying, “We’ve set something up there, and I will point you toward our track record where ‘You never know.’ We’ve had people look like they were going away and then it turned out they weren’t, and then people who just disappear like Gibbs.” He assured fans, “We aim to please, and we think the audience will be satisfied with where they see this go. Sometimes that satisfaction is bittersweet and sometimes it’s just pure joy. You’ll have to wait to find out which one it’s going to be.”
In the season finale, Jessica was offered a new position as Chief REACT Training Officer by Director Leon Vance, a move that didn’t sit well with her boyfriend, Dr. Jimmy Palmer. This fueled speculation that Law might be leaving the show. However, Katrina Law hinted at her return in season 22, writing on Instagram, “Guess we gotta wait for CBS FALL. Until then..catch up on @ncisverse on @paramountplus. Thank you all for a wonderful season.”
Law has stated that Jessica’s decision to accept the job was the right choice for her character. “I think that at the end, Jessica has to take this position because she knows deep down this is what she wants,” she told TV Line. “She wants a career, she’s very ambitious, and to her, a long-distance relationship isn’t the end of things. At the same time, maybe it is, if it doesn’t work out. She has to move forward and see where these things lead; she can’t settle into something she knows will ultimately make her angry and have regrets.”
As for the 22nd season of NCIS, an official release date has yet to be announced, but the show has historically returned in September. Fans will have to wait a bit longer to discover what’s next for Jessica Knight.
