Mark Harmon Spills the Tea on NCIS Exit: The Real Reason Behind His Departure – Prepare to Be Stunned!

Mark Harmon, who portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS, has clarified the reason for his departure from the show after nearly two decades. In a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Harmon explained that his decision to leave was primarily due to exhaustion. He mentioned the demanding nature of the job, long working hours, and the challenges of balancing a career in television with being present for his young family.

“I was tired for a long time. The job required being at home with a young family and not traveling for movies. The reality of long working hours, like the 22-hour first day, differed from my expectations. We had many days like that in the first four years,” Harmon shared.

Despite his departure, the possibility of Mark Harmon’s Gibbs returning to NCIS remains open-ended. Gibbs chose to walk away from his long-term employment, providing him with a happy ending in the storyline. However, with Gibbs’ fate left unresolved, there is potential for his return in the future. Harmon has not ruled out the possibility of returning to NCIS, and the recent passing of David McCallum’s character Ducky could serve as real-life inspiration for a potential comeback.

While there is no official indication from CBS about bringing Gibbs back for NCIS Season 21, the delayed start of production this year leaves room for writers to explore a potential return, especially for a Ducky memorial episode.