NCIS Showrunner on Mark Harmon’s Return as Leroy Gibbs: ‘He Can Come Back, He’s Safe, He’s Happy’

Mark Harmon’s departure from ‘NCIS’ began in season 18, initiated by his request to leave. As Harmon expressed his desire to move on, the writers began crafting his exit, which culminated four episodes into season 19. Rather than k1lling off Gibbs or having him retire, they opted for a different approach: Gibbs finding peace in Alaska after solving his final case, while Agent McGee returned to Washington, DC.

In the NCIS Season 19 DVD special feature “Being Gibbs,” Harmon elucidates, “What has always drawn me here is the character I play and keeping it fresh and challenging. From a plot standpoint, this character chose the path that it did. ‘I’m not retired,’ I thought, was honest and acceptable. As far as I know, the character resides in Alaska.”

Despite Harmon no longer being the face of ‘NCIS,’ he remains involved as an executive producer and has affirmed he hasn’t retired from acting. After nearly two decades as Gibbs, Harmon sought to explore new avenues.

Showrunner Steven D. Binder reassures fans that the door is always open for Harmon’s return, which is why Gibbs’ character was left in a state of ambiguity. Binder elaborated, “It just didn’t feel right seeing him retired and going grocery shopping, working in his basement, and playing checkers in the park… It just didn’t seem right to put him anywhere, so we put him nowhere.” This open-ended departure allows for speculation about Gibbs’ fate and leaves the option for his return. “He is secure. He’s content.”

Gibbs’ departure from ‘NCIS’ was anchored in Rule 91: Never look back when you decide to walk away. Harmon entrusted the specifics to the writers, and executive producers David J. North and Brendan Fehily co-wrote his final episode. Fehily recounted the emotional challenge in writing and filming it, noting the visible impact on many crew members during the process.

The DVD set of “NCIS: The Nineteenth Season,” comprising all 21 episodes and 45 minutes of special features, is now available. Meanwhile, “NCIS” Season 20 is set to premiere on CBS on Monday, September 19th.