NCIS season 19 is hoped for by fans of the long-running procedural – but could it be cancelled if Mark Harmon leaves?
NCIS and its spin-off series are currently having a shake-up on CBS following the news NCIS New Orleans will be ending with its current season. However, some viewers may be wondering if this will impact the original NCIS show as well. This is especially the case after some rumours began floating around about Mark Harmon’s future on the show.
Will NCIS be cancelled if Mark Harmon leaves?
Harmon has starred as Agent Leroy Gibbs in 18 seasons of NCIS so far.
He joined the show back in 2003 and has appeared in every episode since.
However, given his longevity on the series, some viewers have been wondering for a while now if he had any plans to leave the show.
Unfortunately for fans of the series, there are now some rumours he is considering taking a step back.
This was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter along with the news NCIS may be getting a new spin-off set in Hawaii.
The publication suggested they had learned Harmon was planning to exit when his contract expired at the end of season 18.
However, CBS made it clear if he did this then they would likely cancel the procedural.
They wrote: “The flagship is awaiting word on season 19 and, per sources, could be nearing its end as leading man Harmon’s deal is up this season.
“Sources say when Harmon heard CBS would end the flagship series if he left, the star and exec producer began conversations with the network and producers CBS Studios to return for a handful of episodes if the procedural was to return for a 19th season.”
Nothing has been confirmed about this yet by CBS so viewers will just have to wait a while longer to find out what will happen next.
The show is usually renewed in spring each year by the network.
In 2019, the announcement came in April while in 2020 it was confirmed in May.
Therefore, it seems likely the show’s future will be confirmed in the coming months.
Harmon has been open in the past about when he would decide to leave his long-running role behind.
In 2019, he told People: “I’ve always thought if there’s ever a time where the writers are walking into the room and going, ‘I don’t know what to do,’ then I think we all have to look at each other and call it a day. But we’re not there yet.
“I’ve been around long enough to know what this is. That commitment is part of what I signed up for; I know when this show ends that’s it – there won’t be anything else like this for me.
“Nothing goes on forever, but you’ve got to respect what this show is doing, 16 years in.
“And how it’s doing it, and the people who are there punching in every morning and building what this is.
“There’s a tremendous amount of pride there, so I see no reason to leave.”
The series is about to lose another of its leading cast with Jack Sloane’s (Maria Bello) imminent exit.
Bello announced at the end of 2020 how she was leaving the show eight episodes into season 18.
Other original cast members have either left or scaled back their roles.
Fans will remember how Michael Weatherly and Pauley Perrette exited in earlier seasons.
Ducky star David McCallum now also appears in fewer episodes each season after his character retired.
Aside from Harmon, the longest-appearing cast member is Sean Murray who plays Agent Timothy McGee on the series.
Related News – Be sure to get some more news when it comes to NCIS.