“Gibbs’ Untold Secret: The Original NCIS Actor’s Game-Changing Plan That Could Have Altered the Show’s 20-Year Legacy – You Won’t Believe What You Missed!”

NCIS was originally conceived with the idea of casting Harrison Ford in the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. However, this concept of Ford playing Gibbs remained merely a placeholder and never progressed beyond that point. Ultimately, Mark Harmon was chosen to portray Gibbs after the show’s creators witnessed his performance as a Secret Service agent in The West Wing.

In retrospect, it seems that not casting Harrison Ford as Gibbs turned out to be a fortuitous decision. Mark Harmon’s portrayal of the character has become synonymous with Gibbs, and he has dedicated almost two decades to the role.

The original plans for NCIS, had they gone through with casting Harrison Ford, would have led to significant changes in the beloved police procedural. NCIS has now celebrated 20 years on the air, solidifying its position as one of the longest-running scripted American primetime television series, surpassed only by NBC’s Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order.

When NCIS made its debut in 2003, it was CBS’s response to the growing popularity of crime shows, particularly NBC’s Law & Order franchise. While it had a slow start, the series eventually gained momentum, climbing the ratings chart and becoming a fan favorite.

To distinguish NCIS from other crime shows, co-creators Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill decided to focus on crimes involving the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, along with their families. Like many long-running series, NCIS has experienced numerous cast changes over the years. Several cast members, such as Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd (season 2), Michael Weatherly’s Anthony DiNozzo (season 13), and Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto (season 15), departed the show. Despite these departures, NCIS thrived thanks to Mark Harmon’s portrayal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who remained the team’s unwavering leader.