Wilmer Valderrama stunned NCIS fans during an appearance on CBS Mornings in early May, dropping the bombshell that a “very earth‑shattering” character death would hit the season 22 finale—and it affects someone very close to the core team, not just a weekly guest star hellomagazine.com+15people.com+15globalnews.ca+15. He emphasized that this dramatic loss is designed to upset the team’s dynamics and “probably really push us to go rogue in season 23” yahoo.com+2people.com+2ew.com+2.

Fans have been reacting strongly online—some lamenting the loss, others thrilled by the emotional stakes. Several speculated that it could be a long‑standing authority figure like Deputy Director Laroche or Assistant Director Leon Vance, though Valderrama remained coy and let suspense reign ew.com.

The announcement has ignited passionate debate within the NCIS fan community. Social media is buzzing with heartfelt responses—some fans are mourning in advance, while others are eager to see how the show will pivot into season 23. Many praised Valderrama for his hype‑man energy, with one noting he “basically went full proud dad‑meets‑hype‑man” tiktok.com+15imdb.com+15people.com+15.

With the two‑part finale having aired on May 5, viewers got their answers—and as hinted, the twist has laid heavy groundwork for the new season. NCIS head into season 23 under a cloud of grief and uncertainty, promising a darker, more unpredictable chapter. Many fans will surely tune in this fall to see how Torres and the rest of the team cope—and who might come out stronger.