NCIS Season 24 Episode 3 photos preview “Sleeping Dogs,” airing Tuesday, October 20, from 8:00–9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Wilmer Valderrama takes the spotlight as Nick Torres faces a case tied to an undercover identity he believed he had left behind.
Mike O’Malley guest stars as Walt Keller, Torres’ former handler. The series ensemble includes Sean Murray, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover, Michael Weatherly and Gary Cole, with the new episode bringing a difficult chapter of Torres’ past back into his present.
NCIS Season 24 Episode 3 Details
Episode
Season 24 Episode 3, “Sleeping Dogs”
Air Date
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time
8:00–9:00 p.m. ET/PT
Network
CBS
Streaming
Live with Paramount+ Premium; next-day viewing Wednesday, October 21, on Paramount+
Guest Star
Mike O’Malley as Walt Keller
Written By
Marco Schnabel
Directed By
José Clemente Hernandez
What Is “Sleeping Dogs” About?
A string of murders is committed using Torres’ retired undercover identity. The connection forces him to work with Walt Keller, his grizzled, old-school former handler, as the investigation reaches into a part of his life he thought was over.
For Torres, the case is more than a search for whoever is using the identity. He must also confront a darker version of himself associated with that undercover work. The official preview puts his personal history at the center of the investigation without revealing who is responsible for the murders.
“Sleeping Dogs” was written by Marco Schnabel and directed by José Clemente Hernandez.
Mike O’Malley Plays Torres’ Former Handler
Mike O’Malley’s Walt Keller brings a direct connection to Torres’ former undercover life. Their partnership is a key part of “Sleeping Dogs,” placing Torres alongside someone who knew him during the chapter he has tried to leave behind.
CBS describes Keller as an old-school handler but keeps the specifics of their shared history under wraps. The synopsis does not disclose how they work together now or what Torres will learn about the identity being used in the killings.
Who Stars in NCIS?
Wilmer Valderrama plays Nick Torres, Sean Murray plays Timothy McGee and Katrina Law plays Jessica Knight. The ensemble also includes Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Diona Reasonover as forensic scientist Kasie Hines, Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo and Gary Cole as Alden Parker.
NCIS Season 24 Episode 3, “Sleeping Dogs,” airs Tuesday, October 20, from 8:00–9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Stream live with Paramount+ Premium or watch the next day, Wednesday, October 21, with any Paramount+ plan. Catch up through the official NCIS streaming page.
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Thomas Miller is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Seat42F, covering television, movies and streaming entertainment. He launched Seat42F in 2007 and has spent nearly two decades covering the entertainment industry.
