Season 19 of NCIS has brought about significant changes, including the departure of Eleanor Bishop (Emily Wickersham) and the surprise exit of Mark Harmon from his role as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs early in the season. Despite these changes, there’s hope for Harmon’s return, with showrunner Steven D. Binder emphasizing at PaleyFest that we should never count out Leroy Jethro Gibbs, leaving the door open for a potential guest appearance.
In an exclusive interview with Sean Murray, who portrays Special Agent Timothy McGee, he shared insights about Harmon’s continued involvement. Murray revealed that Harmon still pops in on set and that he saw him recently. This has fueled speculation among the cast that Gibbs might make a return. Additionally, Michael Weatherly, who wrapped up production on Bull, could also potentially return for a visit from Paris to update fans on his character Tony DiNozzo’s life with Ziva (Cote de Pablo) and their daughter, Tali.
A significant addition to the cast is Gary Cole, who takes over the team as Alden Parker, a character suggested by Gibbs. Murray expressed his excitement about working with Cole again, describing him as kicking “all kinds of ass.” Despite the changes, Murray emphasized that Cole’s character doesn’t feel like a replacement for Gibbs. The team dynamics have shifted naturally, and the show aims to create a unique dynamic rather than replicating what was done with Mark Harmon.
Despite initial concerns that Harmon’s departure might signal the end of the series, NCIS received a pickup for its 20th season after strong episodes in the current season. Murray acknowledged the uncertainty the cast faced with the show moving to a new night and time but expressed relief that the team’s efforts seem to be paying off.
Looking ahead to McGee’s character, Murray expressed curiosity about the future, as the writers often come up with ideas more interesting than anything he could imagine. As the series continues, the cast is excited to see where the evolving storylines will take them.