Mark Harmon, who has played Leroy Jethro Gibbs since the CBS crime drama premiered in September 2003, signed off as Gibbs decided to stay in Alaska indefinitely. Sipa USA

Mark Harmon's 18-year 'NCIS' run ends, but he is 'always going to be part of the show'

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 10/12/21

NCIS is only four episodes into its 19th season, but it served as the end of an era.

Mark Harmon, who has played Leroy Jethro Gibbs since the CBS crime drama premiered in September 2003, signed off as Gibbs decided to stay in Alaska indefinitely:

Gibbs' decision came after he narrowly escaped death from a boat explosion during May's season 18 finale, and it was fitting that his final scene (for now) was with Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), another mainstay on the series for the last 18 years.

However, the door was left open for a future return by NCIS executive producer and showrunner Steven D. Binder:

See below. #NCIS pic.twitter.com/Hqz7yIfkAP
— NCIS (@NCIS_CBS) October 12, 2021

"Mark's always been part of the show, Mark’s always going to be part of the show," CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl told Deadline last month. "In terms of his on-air appearances, we're just going to have to see how it plays out going forward."

NCIS airs every Monday beginning at 9 p.m. EST on CBS.

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