On some level, you knew that the original “NCIS” was always going to take the top spot, and for good reason. More than just setting the tone for the entire franchise, the main series has maintained the most consistent level of quality across its staggeringly lengthy run. Originally led by Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), most of the main cast has rotated over time, with Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) as its sole constant. Based out of Washington, D.C., the team investigates naval-related crimes, putting their forensic talents and deductive reasoning to good use.
Starting out as a solid, if somewhat standard, crime procedural with an underlying military focus, “NCIS” has consistently improved upon its strong foundations over the years. The series has also proved that it won’t always play things safe, cemented by killing off Sasha Alexander’s character Kate Todd at the end of the second season. This moment was a somber reminder of the show’s stakes, no matter how much palpable rapport the team cultivated and maintained. That mix of strong interpersonal dynamics, solid crime-solving, and occasional narrative curveballs has turned the main “NCIS” into the gold standard for television procedurals.