Mark Harmon opens up about his departure from NCIS after playing the role of central character Leroy Jethro Gibbs for 19 years. Harmon has been a member of the core cast of the police procedural drama since NCIS season 1, which first aired back in September 2003. However, the actor and Agent Gibbs left the show in the recent season 19.
Harmon’s beloved Gibbs was the commanding officer of the series’ Washington-based investigative team as they handled cases surrounding crimes related to the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. A stern but caring leader, Gibbs had been a mainstay of the series since the show’s debut, with the marksman and special agent’s past and family life slowly being uncovered as NCIS progressed. Harmon’s departure was confirmed by NCIS showrunner Steven Binder in October 2021, with Gibbs retiring to Alaska in season 19, episode 4, “Great Wide Open.” For many loyal viewers, Leroy Gibbs’ exit from the show marked the end of an era, though Harmon himself has remained largely quiet on the subject.
In an interview with ET Online, Harmon finally opened up about his NCIS departure for the first time since his final appearance was confirmed. The actor stated that during his time on NCIS, he’d hoped that Gibbs was able to remain fresh and interesting to audiences, but felt that he had explored Gibbs to a point at which the character had a fitting ending. Harmon also confirmed that while Gibbs would no longer be a part of NCIS, the now-retired agent would live a comfortable life in Alaska, saying:
“What has always drawn me here is the character I play and to keep it fresh and to keep it challenging. Plot-wise, this character has taken the path that it did. I thought it was honest and OK with … I’m not retired … The character is living in Alaska as far as I know.”
While Gibbs and Harmon have both departed the series, producer Binder has assured that Gibb’s presence will be felt in NCIS leading into the season 19 finale. When discussing the show’s finale, the producer and showrunner explained that when Gary Cole’s agent Alden Parker is framed for a murder, Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee would step up to aid Parker after recalling how he aided Gibbs when he was pursued by the FBI, as Gibb’s legacy is felt throughout the story. As a member of Gibb’s team since season 2, McGee remains one of the character’s closest allies and friends following the departures of other teammates, making him an ideal character to carry on Gibbs’ legacy.
Harmon has been a core member of the NCIS cast since the long-running show’s beginning, so it is understandable why the actor has chosen to depart it. Though Murray is confident in Gibbs’ return to NCIS in the future, the character’s retirement to Alaska gives Harmon’s beloved former agent the opportunity to find closure without meeting a tragic end. While fans may be surprised by Gibbs’ sudden departure so early on in season 19, Harmon’s explanation offers insight into why he felt it was time to leave NCIS, leaving both Harmon’s tenure and Gibbs’ long and storied career on a high note.
