‘NCIS’ Season 24 Episode 3 Release Date, Time and Where to Watch

For over two decades, CBS has maintained an unrivaled stronghold on primetime broadcast television through its flagship procedural powerhouse, ‘NCIS‘. As the franchise navigates the dramatic contours of fall 2026, audience anticipation for ‘NCIS’ season 24 episode 3 has surged following massive structural upheavals at the Washington Navy Yard. The long-running crime drama continues to prove its cultural staying power, redefining its ensemble chemistry after major character transitions.

The broader procedural landscape has witnessed CBS transforming Tuesday evenings into a dedicated franchise destination, pairing the mothership series alongside ‘NCIS: New York’ and ‘NCIS: Origins’. This cohesive programming block keeps viewers invested in high-stakes military investigations while exploring rich character legacies that span multiple generations of law enforcement. Consequently, the third installment of the twenty-fourth cycle represents a crucial early milestone for the current narrative arc.

When Does ‘NCIS’ Season 24 Episode 5 Arrive?

Fans tracking the broadcast calendar will not have to wait long, as ‘NCIS’ season 24 episode 3, titled ‘Sleeping Dogs’, is officially scheduled to air on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The 60-minute chapter maintains the series’ anchor timeslot at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS. It serves as the opening punch of the network’s packed three-hour procedural evening before leading directly into its sibling spinoffs.

Where to Watch ‘NCIS’ Season 24 Episode 3 Live and On-Demand

Cord-cutters and traditional television viewers have several flexible viewing paths available when the new episode arrives on screens. Audiences with linear cable subscriptions, satellite packages, or digital broadcast antennas can tune directly into their local CBS affiliates at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Additionally, multi-channel live streaming providers including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV offer real-time carriage of the broadcast.

For streaming audiences, Paramount+ remains the primary digital home for every corner of the expanding naval investigative universe. Subscribers enrolled in the Paramount+ Premium tier can stream the broadcast live via their local CBS feed as the drama unfolds. Meanwhile, standard Paramount+ Essential subscribers can stream ‘Sleeping Dogs’ on demand beginning the following morning on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

“Sleeping Dogs” Preview: Nick Torres Faces His Undercover Past

Directed by José Clemente Hernandez and written by Marco Schnabel, ‘Sleeping Dogs’ shifts the spotlight squarely onto Special Agent Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama. The investigation ignites when a retired undercover identity that Torres created years ago is suddenly resurrected to orchestrate a string of cold-blooded killings. Confronted by ghosts from his operative days, Torres must reconcile the dangerous persona he thought he had buried deep underground.

To solve the spiraling case, Torres is forced to reunite with his grizzled, off-the-grid former mentor, Walt Keller, portrayed by veteran guest star Mike O’Malley. The dynamic echoes the historic mentor bond between Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Mike Franks, bringing fresh depth to Torres’ 10-year tenure on the team. Showrunner Steven D. Binder emphasized Keller’s unpredictable nature, noting that he is “not the most by-the-book guy” while cautioning that “potentially he’s going to get Torres involved in some undercover work down the road,” as reported by ScreenRant.

Navigating a New Leadership Era at NCIS

The personal turbulence facing Torres unfolds against the backdrop of massive institutional changes within headquarters following the departure of Director Leon Vance in the 500th episode. Michael Weatherly’s high-profile return as Tony DiNozzo has fundamentally altered the bullpen dynamic, placing the seasoned investigator into the director’s chair. Balancing administrative protocol with his trademark levity, DiNozzo’s newfound oversight injects fresh energy into veteran agents Alden Parker, Timothy McGee, and Jessica Knight.

Executive leadership has embraced this nostalgic yet transformative shift, emphasizing how DiNozzo’s presence balances past heritage with current storytelling stakes. Showrunner Steven D. Binder highlighted that creative synergy, explaining to Bleeding Cool that “having Michael Weatherly back in the NCIS family is one of those things a writer can only dream about”. Binder noted that “Tony DiNozzo has always had a way of changing the temperature of every scene he’s in, and watching the newer members of the team encounter the legend they’ve only heard stories about is exactly as fun as it sounds”.

As Torres delves back into the shadows alongside Keller, the team’s loyalty and investigative instincts will be pushed to their outer limits. With interpersonal friction meeting dangerous undercover tradecraft, ‘Sleeping Dogs’ stands poised to deliver one of the most psychologically intense chapters of the autumn season. Viewers should brace for lingering revelations that could reverberate across the squad for weeks to come.

Let us know your predictions for Nick Torres and his former handler in ‘NCIS’ season 24 by leaving a comment below!