(Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS)
Leroy Jethro Gibbs is stepping away. In last night’s episode of NCIS, actor Mark Harmon departed the CBS series after 18 years as a series regular. Harmon first played Gibbs in 2003 in the predecessor series, JAG.
At the end of season 18, Gibbs was nearly killed in a boat explosion. The character had previously been suspended for assaulting a murderer and abuser of dogs. Harmon’s been seen in a limited capacity in season 19 and last night’s installment saw Gibbs and Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) in Alaska, solving a case involving a contract killer hired by a mining company.
By the end, Gibbs had decided to stay in Alaska, telling his comrade that he feels “a sense of peace” and hasn’t felt that since the deaths of his wife and daughter. When McGee asks Gibbs what he’s looking for in The Last Frontier, Gibbs replies, “I don’t know. My gut’s telling me I’ll know when I find it.”
Harmon’s departure from NCIS is hardly a surprise. The 70-year-old actor signed a deal to continue with the series for season 19 but only in a limited capacity. Harmon remains an executive producer on the show and the door is open for him to return.
“As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the show,” executive producer and showrunner Steven D. Binder said in a statement. “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.”
What do you think? Have you kept up with the NCIS TV series on CBS? Are you disappointed that Harmon has left as a series regular? Would you like to see him return at some point?
Gibbs leaving the show will result in me no longer tuning in. I have stuck with NCIS through all the cast changes in the past because Gibbs has remained a constant. Now that he has departed, there’s no way my interest level will remain the same! Gibbs cannot be replaced!!! The only positive is that he wasn’t killed off at the end of the show, so there remains an opening for him to return.
Gibs is the fundamental character of this beautiful show Hope he comes back
With Gibbs gone I will never watch again. Gibbs reminded me of my father and now there both gone
I’m sorry to hear about your father
The Skip’s gone there is no show and with kids gone you just lost a very very loyal watcher.
I will miss Gibbs. He’s the reason I have been watching all these years, but I will continue to watch to see where Tim will lead the team.
NCIS will never be the same without Gibbs! I’m done watching the show; I’ve never cared for Gary Cole as an actor. Too many changes in the last few years.
I don’t think the show can ever be nearly as good without Gibbs. However, I would rather have no Gibbs, than the Gibbs of the past year. I was so happy when it seemed that he was coming back and the show would return to the way it used to be, with a less introspective “Boss” leading the crew. But, I will give it a chance. Thanks for 18 years of great entertainment to the entire NCIS team.
I don’t think the show will be the same without Gibbs. To many good characters leaving this show.
And if you’ll notice, it’s most of the female characters leaving the show. So what does that tell us? Seems like they’re not being treated fairly?
ncis is and will always be my top 2 fav shows to watch …19 seasons was a good run and they should be proud …. not to sure about the new ones now though … seem to fast to get to the next dam commercial’s now so tv isn’t that exciting to watch any more to be honest !!
Will miss Gibbs miss Tony, Abby and Zeva. But I have always loved this show so as each character has left I have tried to continue watching. Hopefully I learn again to adjust I was just starting to really like Bishop now she gone. Long as the story line is strong I’ll stay. Not real impressed in the new NCIS Hawaii. Just can’t get into it.
Ok, I agree that I missed Tony but don’t miss Abby or Zeva at all! But now, most of the great female characters come & go quickly. What’s happening there that they all leave the show?
Gibbs, is my my favorite in the show. I quit watching NCIS: New Orleans when they killed off Lucas Black’s character Christopher. We’ve loss Michael Wetherly and the Zeva character & Abby so I think I will leave NCIS. Love this show.
Ideally Gibbs would return in a regular, if somewhat more limited, role and along with that Marcie become the one who can help him get past the loss of Shannon and Kelly.
I like the way Gibbs character “ended” with him retiring in a relaxed, happy mood and leaving open the possibility for his return! I will continue to enjoy the show trying to remember these scripted actors and not real people.
Please boost your ratings look forward every Monday night drama. Enjoy it and love it. One of my favorite shows on air.
I will miss Gibbs and hope he returns to NCIS in the future.
Me too goodbye classics characters one of my favorite shows. Look forward every season so good never missed any episodes of it. Love it and enjoy it.