Despite a slight drop in its ratings, CBS' hit procedural drama series "NCIS" was renewed for the 13th season on May 11, 2015, according to RenewCancelTV. The show remains one of CBS' top shows and one of the most watched series on television currently. "NCIS" season 13 will begin to air on CBS this fall, though a premiere date has not yet been released.

Season 12 ended in a cliffhanger with Special Agent Gibbs (Mark Harmon) being shot twice as seen in the season 12 finale. Gibbs fate in season 13 is unknown.

According to VCPost, Executive producer Gary Glasberg said in an interview that the intention of the season 12's ending was to leave the audience thinking and unsure of the direction the next season is going to take as well as if Gibbs will return and the effect of his absence on the team. "We've got a lot of questions that need to be answered and then some impending danger that we need to deal with when we get back."

In a previous report, it was confirmed that Mark Harmon had signed a two-year contract with CBS in 2013. After the events of season 12 and with no news of Harmon signing a new contract with CBS, his return to the show's 13th season remains uncertain.

"NCIS" is a police procedural drama series that revolves around a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigation Service. The team conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The series stars Mark Harmon as Special Agent Gibbs, Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo, Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto and David McCallum as Donald "Ducky" Mallard. Also in the cast are Sean Murray, Rocky Carroll, Brian Dietzen and Emily Wickersham.

"NCIS" is the first series of the NCIS Franchise. A two-part episode in season six led to the spin-off series "NCIS: Los Angeles" and another two-part episode in season 11 led to the spin-off series "NCIS: New Orleans".