Sean Murray is relishing the vibrant new energy that both the cast and writers are injecting into the 23rd season of NCIS, which is set to include the landmark 500th episode.

“I’m really enjoying the direction we’re taking this year,” Murray, who has portrayed Special Agent Timothy McGee since the show’s debut in 2003, shared exclusively with Us Weekly on Monday, November 17. “We’ve got a slew of upcoming episodes that promise to be diverse and intriguing.”

The 48-year-old actor hinted at some exciting developments for the show’s 500th episode, promising a treat for devoted fans of NCIS.

“There’s something really cool in the works that I can’t divulge just yet. But trust me, it’s going to be exceptional,” Murray teased. “We’re bringing back a familiar face from the NCIS universe—someone we haven’t seen in quite a while, sure to be recognized by any long-term viewer. There might be a few surprises along the way.”

Meanwhile, NCIS fans are still processing the breakup between Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer, yet their romance isn’t the only one in the spotlight for season 22. Katrina Law, who portrays Knight, recently disclosed to Us Weekly that Wilmer Valderrama’s character, Nick Torres, is set to face some turmoil in his romantic life, hinting at further drama on the horizon.

While the official air date for episode 500 has not been announced, it is expected to premiere close to the halfway point of season 23.

Fans, however, won’t have to wait long to see the NCIS team raise the bar. Murray told Us that they are currently working on an episode about McGee that he’s “really looking forward” to viewers seeing.

“People that are into McGee, the longtime fans, I think will especially enjoy this,” he shared, teasing, “McGee gets some very big unexpected family news. Big news.”

Murray noted that lovers of the possible Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) romance are also in for some fun during the second half of the season.

“I do love that relationship between, between Torres and Knight, and sort of seeing the evolution of that,” he said, confirming that he ships the TV couple as well.

Murray hinted that Torres and Knight’s connection is “definitely something we’re going to get into a little bit more this year.”

He confirmed, “We’re going to see some movement there, as far as exactly what is going on.”

The NCIS Universe is constantly expanding — and fans have become enthralled with the original cast and the spinoff actors’ romances, both on and off screen. NCIS debuted in 2003 as a backdoor pilot for JAG, which ran from 1995 to 2005. NCIS, which originally starred Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, concluded season 22 […]

Earlier this season, Torres and Knight appeared to be blurring the line between work partners and something more when Torres got jealous of Knight becoming buddy-buddy with night shift agent Dale Sawyer (Zane Holtz).

During the Tuesday, November 18, episode of NCIS, the creators once again hinted at a possible romance when McGee’s No. 1 book fan said people totally “shipped” his Deep Six characters Rick Soares and Agent Knightshade getting together in her fan fiction. (McGee’s Deep Six novels have characters inspired by his real-life colleagues, including Torres’ alter ego, Soares, and Knight’s alternate persona, Knightshade.)

While Murray didn’t reveal whether Torres and Knight will become a full-blown couple this season, he told Us there are a lot of fun stories “coming down the pipeline.”

“I’m really looking forward to our people seeing our episodes, because I’m proud of us. I’m proud that we’re not just resting on our laurels,” he gushed. “Everyone’s checked in. It’s good, it feels good. We’ve got some really interesting episodes coming out as a result.”

NCIS airs on CBS Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.