Can NCIS Survive Without Mark Harmon’s Gibbs? The Future Explained.
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service faced a significant transition in season 19, with the departure of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon, in episode 4, “Great Wide Open.” As the show progresses into its 19th season, there are lingering questions about its future without Gibbs.
Longtime fans of NCIS are familiar with Special Agent Gibbs’ tragic past: his wife and daughter were killed as a result of a drug cartel case, a burden he has carried for years. In season 19, episode 4, Gibbs embarks on a mission to Naktok, Alaska, involving a criminal CEO who hired a hitman to conceal the environmental damage caused by her mining project. Despite his transgressions, such as evading an FBI agent, Gibbs avoids being fired or arrested. In a pivotal character moment, he decides to remain in Alaska, as it’s the first place where he has found peace since the loss of his wife and daughter. This choice leaves Gibbs’s story open-ended, distinct from the usual exit via death or arrest, creating intrigue about his future.
The future of NCIS without Agent Gibbs remains somewhat uncertain, although Mark Harmon will continue to serve as an executive producer on the show. The series should be capable of surviving Gibbs’ departure, albeit possibly for a limited number of seasons. While NCIS may retain its existing popularity without Gibbs, there’s also a chance it might experience a decline.
Throughout its run, NCIS has witnessed the departure of several beloved characters, including Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), and Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette). Each exit led to a decrease in NCIS ratings in the following season, but the show consistently retained viewers and continued to produce new seasons. However, the exit of Mark Harmon’s Gibbs may be the most significant loss for NCIS to date, which could potentially result in a more pronounced decline. Nevertheless, previous departures may have prepared NCIS viewers for losing their favorite characters. The remainder of season 19 will provide valuable insights regarding the show’s future.
NCIS is not the first major series to carry on after losing its lead character. The Office continued after Steve Carell’s departure, as did CSI after William Peterson’s exit, and The Walking Dead after Andrew Lincoln’s departure. These shows varied in their success following the departure of their lead stars. While The Walking Dead managed to thrive with a fresh direction after losing Rick Grimes, The Office faced challenges. Notably, both The Office and The Walking Dead only continued for up to two seasons after the exit of their main stars. While NCIS may introduce compelling storylines and new characters following Mark Harmon’s departure, it remains to be seen how far they can carry the show.
The decision to have Gibbs retire from NCIS at the beginning of season 19 was a deliberate choice by the showrunners, allowing them to assess audience reactions to the loss during the remaining episodes. The fate of NCIS’s future largely depends on the outcome of this experiment. While NCIS may not be the same without Agent Gibbs, and its longevity may be limited, its dedicated fan base is likely to support the show for a few more seasons.
