Special Agent In Charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs was the bedrock of NCIS from its very beginning in 2003. His leadership and presence were so integral to the show that when actor Mark Harmon departed NCIS in season 19, fans were left wondering why. While Harmon remained an Executive Producer, ensuring his continued influence behind the scenes, Gibbs’ absence on screen was deeply felt. NCIS, a cornerstone of CBS’s primetime lineup, is celebrated as its longest-running scripted series. It delves into the high-stakes world of federal special agents who investigate major crimes involving the Navy and Marine Corps, tackling everything from terrorism to espionage.
Created by Don McGill and the acclaimed Donald P. Bellisario, known for Magnum P.I. and Quantum Leap, NCIS has seen its share of cast changes over its two decades. Significant characters like Tony, Abbey, Kate, and Ziva have all moved on. However, Harmon’s departure was undeniably the most impactful. CBS, a network accustomed to cast transitions, navigated NCIS beyond Agent Gibbs, introducing Gary Cole as the new team leader. Harmon’s exit occurred early in season 19, giving CBS ample time to gauge the show’s resilience without its iconic lead.
The Storyline Leading to Gibbs’ NCIS Departure
Gibbs’ Pursuit of Justice Led Him to Break the Rules
When Gibbs’ journey with NCIS concluded within the narrative, it was the culmination of a long and intense case. In Harmon’s penultimate episode, the team uncovered that a series of murders, initially attributed to a serial killer, were actually orchestrated by a hired gun (Jason Wiles). Gibbs, in a move that showcased his maverick approach, bypassed FBI Agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole), taking the hitman to his desired location in exchange for crucial information. The killer detonated an explosive, revealing his role in destroying Gibbs’ boat and, critically, identifying his employer.
| Leroy Jethro Gibbs Timeline |
|---|
| Gibbs’ First Appearance |
| First NCIS Episode |
| Gibbs’ Final Appearance |
Gibbs’ investigation led him to Naktok, Alaska, focusing on Sonova Industries and their controversial copper mining project, which posed a significant environmental threat. He discovered that Sonova’s CEO, Sonia Eberhart (Valarie Pettiford), had commissioned the hitman to silence anyone who could expose the mine’s devastating environmental impact. Gibbs and the NCIS team meticulously gathered evidence, ultimately aiming to bring her to justice for the murder of a journalist investigating the company.
The In-Story Reason for Gibbs’ Departure from NCIS
Finding Peace: Gibbs’ Journey to Alaska
This pivotal NCIS episode is punctuated by poignant moments between Gibbs and his core team – Nick Torres, Timothy McGee, and Ducky Mallard. These interactions, woven throughout the episode, heavily foreshadow Gibbs’ impending exit. His symbolic act of discarding his long-used phone into a coffee mug signaled a definitive break from his past life. However, retirement wasn’t Gibbs’ initial plan. His actions – evading the FBI and aiding the hitman – had placed him outside the boundaries of the law.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs was first introduced in JAG, serving as a backdoor pilot for the NCIS series.
He anticipated facing the consequences, even informing Parker of his whereabouts, expecting arrest. Yet, fate had a different course for Gibbs. Recognizing Gibbs’ inherent goodness and countless acts of service, Parker made a pivotal decision: he disobeyed orders to arrest Gibbs, a choice that cost him his FBI position. Gibbs chose to remain in Alaska because he had discovered something invaluable: peace. It was a tranquility he hadn’t experienced since the tragic loss of his wife and daughter, a feeling he was unwilling to relinquish.
Mark Harmon’s Real-World Reasons for Leaving NCIS After 18 Seasons
Burnout and a Desire for Change: Harmon’s Perspective
Mark Harmon was ready to explore new horizons after NCIS season 18. He strategically negotiated a limited presence at the start of season 19 to facilitate the show’s renewal. Ultimately, Harmon’s departure as Gibbs became official in NCIS season 19. As both a producer and a long-standing figure within the franchise, his commitment to the series’ longevity remained strong.
By choosing to exit early in the season, rather than at the end, Harmon provided NCIS with the best possible chance for renewal. This allowed the network to assess if NCIS could maintain its viewership without him. Following his dismissal from the FBI for assisting Gibbs, Agent Parker found a new opportunity at NCIS, stepping into the void left by Gibbs. Mark Harmon himself shed light on his departure in an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show:
“I think for the longest time, I was just tired. Part of taking the job [involved] being home, with a young family, not traveling so much doing movies. The first day, we worked 22 hours. So I thought, ‘That’s not exactly what I thought this was going to be.’ But we had a lot of days like that in the first four years.”
The Possibility of Gibbs’ Return to NCIS
The Door Remains Open: Showrunner’s Statement
Mark Harmon’s iconic character’s narrative was intentionally crafted to allow for a potential return to a quieter life, rather than a definitive, dramatic end. This leaves the door ajar for Gibbs to reappear in the future. Showrunner Steve Binder emphasized this in a statement released following Harmon’s final episode (via Instagram):
As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the show … Our north star has always been staying true to our characters, and that truth has always guided the stories we tell and where those characters go. So regarding the future of Gibbs, as long-time fans of the show may have noticed over the years…never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out.
NCIS’s Success After Mark Harmon’s Departure
Gary Cole’s Agent Parker Steps Up
NCIS demonstrated its enduring appeal even after Mark Harmon’s exit from the long-running CBS procedural. Despite its ensemble cast, Gibbs had undeniably been the central figure, deeply ingrained in the audience’s connection to the show. However, television history is filled with series that have successfully navigated the departure of their lead and continued for several seasons. NCIS season 19’s viewership figures were crucial in determining if the show could thrive without Gibbs.
Agent Parker effectively helped to bridge the gap created by Mark Harmon’s departure.
This uncertainty was a key factor in Mark Harmon’s decision to leave NCIS at the season’s outset – to test the show’s viability without him. NCIS has previously navigated the exits of beloved characters, preparing viewers to some extent for NCIS character departures over time. Yet, the absence of Gibbs represented one of the most significant character losses NCIS fans had ever faced. Fortunately, Agent Parker’s introduction proved successful in mitigating the impact of Gibbs’ exit.
Mark Harmon’s Reflections on His NCIS Exit
A Potential Return? “Never Say Never”
A year after Gibbs’ Alaskan chapter began, Mark Harmon publicly discussed his motivations for leaving NCIS and his perspective on the show’s future. His comments coincided with the season 19 DVD release, where Harmon reflected on Gibbs’ lasting impact on both NCIS and the broader franchise. According to Harmon, after dedicating 18 seasons almost exclusively to Leroy Jethro Gibbs, he felt a need to pursue “fresh” and “challenging” projects, something the demanding NCIS schedule made difficult.
Mark Harmon may be absent from NCIS, but Gibbs’ legacy remains a vital part of the show.
However, he also offered a glimmer of hope for fans. Harmon stated on the DVD feature that Gibbs is not “retired” as a character, implying potential future appearances. “The character is living in Alaska as far as I know. Plot-wise, this character has taken the path that it did. I thought it was honest.” While Gibbs hasn’t returned to date, his presence hasn’t been erased. Even without Mark Harmon on screen, Gibbs’ memory and influence continue to resonate within NCIS.
Mark Harmon’s Projects Since Leaving NCIS
From Freaky Friday 2 to NCIS: Origins and Authoring
Custom Image by Dalton Norman
Mark Harmon initially opted for a break from acting following his NCIS departure. Despite expressing a desire for new challenges, he prioritized rest and rejuvenation. He ventured into a different creative avenue, collaborating with retired NCIS Special Agent Leon Carroll Jr. to **co-author Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, a Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor. Harmon also lent his voice to the audiobook version.
However, Harmon has since returned to acting with exciting new roles. In 2025, he will grace the silver screen in Freaky Friday 2, reprising his role as Ryan from the 2003 original, where he played Jamie Lee Curtis’s fiancé. More significantly for NCIS enthusiasts, Harmon is involved in NCIS: Origins.
Harmon’s Role in NCIS: Origins and Its Implications for Gibbs’ Future
Executive Producer and Narrator in the Prequel
Austin Stowell embodies a younger Gibbs in the NCIS prequel, NCIS: Origins. However, Mark Harmon’s involvement extends beyond just passing the torch. He serves as an executive producer and the narrator for this latest installment in the NCIS franchise.
Harmon also makes a cameo appearance as an older Gibbs in the two-part NCIS: Origins premiere, “Enter Sandman,” on CBS. These scenes depict Gibbs in Alaska post-NCIS, reflecting on his early career with the Naval Investigative Service through journal entries.
| NCIS: Origins Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Austin Stowell | Leroy Jethro Gibbs |
| Mark Harmon | Older Leroy Jethro Gibbs |
| Mariel Molino | Lala Dominguez |
| Kyle Schmid | Mike Franks |
| Tyla Abercrumbie | Mary Jo Hayes |
| Diany Rodriguez | Vera Strickland |
Given Harmon’s presence in the NCIS: Origins premiere, speculation has arisen about a potential return to the original series or other NCIS spin-offs. As of now, CBS and producers have not announced any such plans. While not slated to reprise his role in NCIS, Harmon is expected to continue his involvement with the prequel beyond his initial cameo. Although initially planned for just the premiere, Harmon’s role in NCIS: Origins season 1 might expand as the season progresses.
What a Gibbs Return to NCIS Could Look Like
A Crossover with NCIS: Origins?
It’s been over three years since Mark Harmon’s NCIS departure, and the show has demonstrably continued without Gibbs at the forefront. However, the enduring affection for the character and the open-ended nature of his exit keep the question of his return alive. While his NCIS: Origins appearance is a welcome nod to fans, many hope for a more substantial on-screen return.
For Gibbs to return to the field after finding peace in Alaska, the circumstances would need to be compelling. A routine case wouldn’t suffice; perhaps a threat to a former colleague or a deeply personal mission of revenge could draw him back.
However, NCIS: Origins itself offers a compelling avenue for Gibbs’ return. Harmon’s appearances in the prequel, reflecting on past cases, suggest a potential bridge between the two series. A crossover episode linking a past case from NCIS: Origins to present-day NCIS could be a powerful way to bring Gibbs back. Revisiting an unresolved case could necessitate Gibbs’ return to settle unfinished business, creating a meaningful crossover event that would thrill fans and connect the franchise in an exciting way.
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**Release Date** September 23, 2003Network CBS
Showrunner Donald P. Bellisario
Directors Dennis Smith, Terrence O’Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. Wright, Michael Zinberg, Arvin Brown, Rocky Carroll, Diana Valentine, Leslie Libman, Tawnia McKiernan, Colin Bucksey, William Webb, Bethany Rooney, Alrick Riley, Jeff Woolnough, Alan J. Levi, Lionel Coleman, Martha Mitchell, Peter Ellis, Michael Weatherly, Edward Ornelas, Stephen Cragg, Tom Wright
Writers George Schenck, Frank Cardea, Jesse Stern, John C. Kelley, Jennifer Corbett, Christopher Silber, Reed Steiner, Nicole Mirante-Matthews, Jack Bernstein, Scott J. Jarrett, Matthew R. Jarrett, Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Don McGill, Gil Grant, Frank Military, Nell Scovell, Steven Kriozere, Brian Dietzen, Kate Torgovnick May, Jeff Vlaming, Sydney Mitchel, Katie White, Richard C. Arthur, Laurence Walsh
Cast
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Sean Murray
Timothy McGee
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David McCallum
Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
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Sources: The Kelly Clarkson Show, Instagram
