Mark Harmon has finally spoken out about leaving NCIS after 20 years. The 70-year-old actor, who portrayed Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for nearly two decades, told Entertainment Tonight that he was satisfied with his role.
‘From a plot standpoint, this character has taken the path that it has. ‘I thought it was honest and acceptable,’ he said.
Harmon went on to say that the Special Agent was not d3ad and hinted at a possible return to the program. ‘I’m not retired,’ the actor explained, ‘the character is living in Alaska as far as I know.’
Harmon began by saying that he had had a lot of fun playing Agent Gibbs over the years. ‘What has always drawn me here is the character I play, and keeping it fresh and challenging,’ he explained.
The Emmy Award-nominated actor also expressed support for Gibbs’ actions on the show.
‘From a plot standpoint, this character has taken the path that it has. ‘I thought it was honest and acceptable,’ he said.
Harmon went on to say that the Special Agent was not d3ad and hinted at a possible return to the program.
‘I’m not retired,’ the actor explained, ‘the character is living in Alaska as far as I know.’
Initially, the actor played Gibbs in two episodes of the police procedural show JAG. He went on to reprise the role in NCIS, a spinoff of the original series.
The actor was notably one of the long-running show’s executive producers. Harmon stayed with the show until 2021, when his character relocated to Alaska at the end of the episode Great Wide Open.
Steven D. Binder issued a statement to Entertainment Tonight at the time to express his feelings about the actor’s departure.
‘As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark remains an essential part of the show’s fabric. ‘Our north star has always been remaining true to our characters, and that truth has always guided…where those characters go,’ he explained.
The showrunner went on to say that Harmon’s character might return to the show in the future.
‘So, in terms of Gibbs’ future, as longtime fans of the show may have noticed over the years… never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out,’ he said.
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