On “NCIS,” Mark Harmon portrayed Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for almost 20 years. Mark Harmon, who played the enduring character of Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, served as the foundation of NCIS for twenty years. Fans and showrunners were on the edge of their seats, but it turns out that the seasoned actor has been considering departing for years.
The impact on the series and its devoted fanbase was seen when Harmon ultimately left in 2021.
Mark Harmon’s exit worried ‘NCIS’ executive producers
Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the main character, was performed by Harmon for a remarkable twenty years, making him the foundation of the NCIS series. Charles Floyd Johnson, the show’s executive producer, admitted in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the production staff was anxious about Harmon’s potential departure. They thought that if he left, the series would probably be finished.
Johnson emphasized Harmon’s dedication, adding that for nearly two decades, he had constantly shown up at the crack of dawn to fulfill the crucial task. As Harmon grew older, he concentrated on spending more time with his family, including his wife Pam Dawber and their kids.
“He had just gotten to the place where he was getting close to turning 70, and he wanted to spend time with Pam and his kids,” Johnson explained.
James Whitmore Jr., the director, echoed these sentiments. The NCIS executive producer recalled his own worries about how irreplaceable Harmon would be for the show’s future viability.
The ‘NCIS’ star hinted at his departure long before he made it official
Johnson, the executive producer of NCIS, elaborated on Harmon’s decision to exit the series. He indicated that Harmon had been mulling over the idea since around the show’s 15th or 16th season.
“So he was leading up to it. It started probably [with him dropping hints] around the 15th or 16th season. But he was so loyal to that crew and so supportive of the show,” Johnson stated.
The NCIS executive producer noted that Harmon stayed on the show longer than he originally planned, largely out of loyalty and pride for the series.
For almost 20 years, Harmon not only portrayed the character of Gibbs but also donned the hat of an executive producer. His multifaceted role brought depth to the series and was a cornerstone for its longevity. In 2021, Harmon decided to step away, sparking a flurry of fan conversations questioning whether he would ever make a comeback. While there’s a buzz about the possibility of Harmon making brief guest appearances in future episodes, there’s no definitive word yet to confirm such speculations.
A look at how Mark Harmon’s exit affected the popular crime drama
The top brass at CBS were concerned about Harmon’s departure from NCIS, but a new addition to the program turned out to be a wise decision. The 19th season’s introduction of Gary Cole as Special Agent Alden Park breathed new life into the program. It also gave the storyline of the show’s crime-solving a new depth. Executive producer Mark Horowitz observed that this new inclusion caused a change in the power dynamics of the show. Previously, Gibbs had been the uncontested leader, but Agent Park gave the other characters more freedom.
“When the Gary Cole character came in, it loosened up a little bit and allowed McGee (Sean Murray) to become a senior agent, and they have a little bit more authority. So it gave room for other possibilities,” Horowitz explained.
Horowitz also reminisced about the initial selection process, mentioning that numerous names had been considered.
When they finally settled on Cole, they clarified to him that his character was not intended to be a direct replacement for Gibbs. Instead, they told Cole his role was flexible, allowing him to develop his character without feeling tied to Gibbs’ legacy.