If you’ve ever wondered what keeps a TV show alive for twenty seasons—what secret ingredient makes millions of viewers tune in year after year, what magic keeps actors coming back through thick and thin—look no further than the heartfelt words of Wilmer Valderrama. The man behind Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, a character as tough as he is vulnerable, just wrapped filming for the show’s landmark twentieth season. Instead of slipping quietly off the set, Valderrama did what any grateful, grounded star would do: he took to Instagram, the modern confessional booth, and poured out his thanks to the world. But this wasn’t just another celebrity signing off for the season. This was a love letter—to his castmates, to the crew, to the writers, and most of all, to the legion of fans who have made NCIS not just a show, but a television institution.

The video, posted from the set, is classic Wilmer: direct, emotional, and utterly sincere. Sporting a buzz cut and an orange jumpsuit—hints, perhaps, at the dramatic turns this season has taken—he looks straight into the camera and tells us that his work for the season is done. There’s no Hollywood gloss, no scripted lines, just a man who knows he’s part of something bigger than himself. He talks about the season finale with a gleam in his eye, promising fans that what’s coming is unlike anything they’ve seen before. And if you’ve been following NCIS for any length of time, you know that’s saying something. This is a show that has thrown curveballs, cliffhangers, and heart-stopping moments at us for two decades, and yet somehow, every time the stakes get higher, the team behind NCIS finds a way to top themselves.

But what really stands out in Valderrama’s message is the way he talks about his fellow cast members. He doesn’t just call them colleagues or co-stars; he calls them family. And you believe him. You can see it in the way they joke around on set, the way they show up for each other at red carpet events, the way they post about each other’s birthdays and milestones on social media. For Valderrama, joining NCIS back in 2016 was more than just another job. It was an invitation into a tribe, one that’s weathered the departures of beloved characters, the arrival of new faces, and the ever-present pressure to keep the show fresh and relevant in a world where TV tastes change overnight.

He doesn’t stop there. Valderrama makes a point to thank the crew—the unsung heroes who spend long hours making sure every shot is perfect, every line is heard, every explosion looks real enough to make you jump off your couch. He thanks the writers, too, for their “efforts and inventiveness,” for dreaming up new stories and twists that keep even the most eagle-eyed fans guessing. It’s easy to forget, as you’re swept up in the drama of a season finale, just how many people it takes to bring a show like NCIS to life. But Valderrama hasn’t forgotten. He knows that behind every dramatic chase, every emotional goodbye, every jaw-dropping reveal, there’s a team of people pouring their hearts into their work.

And then, of course, there are the fans. Valderrama’s gratitude radiates through the screen as he thanks the viewers who have stuck with NCIS through thick and thin. In an age where most shows are lucky to make it past their first season, NCIS has become a rare breed—a show that not only survives but thrives, building a community of fans who care deeply about the characters and the world they inhabit. These fans have watched Torres grow from a mysterious newcomer to a beloved member of the team, and they’ve cheered, cried, and gasped right along with him. For Valderrama, the connection is personal. He knows that every episode is a chance to reach out and touch someone’s life, to give them a story worth caring about, to make them feel seen.

As the twentieth season draws to a close, the excitement is palpable. The season finale, titled “Black Sky,” promises to be a game-changer. Valderrama teases new storylines, unexpected twists, and a cliffhanger that will leave fans counting the days until the next season. It’s classic NCIS—just when you think you know what’s coming, the show pulls the rug out from under you. But that’s part of the fun. That’s why people keep coming back. They want to be surprised, to be moved, to be reminded that even in a world as dark and dangerous as the one NCIS inhabits, hope and heroism still matter.

And let’s not forget the timing. After a brief hiatus, NCIS is storming back onto screens on Monday, May 22nd, at 9 p.m. EST, ready to deliver the kind of finale that gets people talking. There’s something almost ritualistic about it—the anticipation, the speculation, the gathering of friends and family around the TV. In a world where streaming has made appointment television a thing of the past, NCIS still manages to bring people together, to make Monday nights feel special.

But maybe the real secret to the show’s longevity isn’t just the plot twists or the action sequences or even the cliffhangers. Maybe it’s the people. The cast, the crew, the writers, and yes, the fans. People like Wilmer Valderrama, who never lose sight of what makes this all matter. Who understand that at its core, NCIS is about connection—between characters, between actors, between the show and its audience. It’s about the way a story can bring us together, make us feel something, remind us that we’re not alone.

Valderrama’s Instagram post is more than just a wrap-up for the season. It’s a testament to the power of gratitude, of humility, of remembering where you came from and who helped you get there. In a business that can be cutthroat and fickle, he stands out as someone who genuinely cares—not just about his own success, but about the success of everyone around him. And maybe that’s why fans respond to him, why they root for Torres even when he’s making questionable decisions, why they tune in week after week, year after year.

As the credits roll on season twenty, and as “Black Sky” leaves us all hanging on the edge of our seats, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate what NCIS has accomplished. It’s not just a show about crime or government agents or high-stakes investigations. It’s a show about people—flawed, funny, brave, complicated people who show up for each other, who fight for what’s right, who never give up. And it’s a show about the fans who believe in them, who see themselves reflected in their struggles and triumphs, who make Monday nights a little less lonely.

So here’s to Wilmer Valderrama, to the cast and crew, to the writers, and to the millions of fans who have made NCIS a phenomenon. Here’s to twenty seasons of twists, turns, and unforgettable moments. And here’s to whatever comes next—because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from this show, it’s that the best is always yet to come.