Given that “NCIS” has lasted a remarkable 19 seasons and nearly two decades, it’s understandable that a few favorite characters have left the show over its long run on primetime television.
Fans recently had to say goodbye to the show’s primary character, NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who was played by Mark Harmon.
According to USA Today, in October 2021, during an episode of the show’s 19th season, Gibbs opted to stay in Alaska after finally finding peace following the d3ath of his family.
“NCIS” has survived the loss of some of its most cherished characters, including Ziva David (played by Cote de Pablo), Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly), and Abby Sciuto (played by Pauley Perrette).
According to ScreenRant, the show’s ratings plummeted after each of these departures. Furthermore, other shows that said farewell to their primary characters, such as “The Office” and “The Walking Dead,” only lasted a few more seasons before being cancelled.
According to Showbiz CheatSheet, all of the cast members that began off in the first season of the show have either left or had their roles drastically reduced since the show’s 2003 premiere. But that could be about to change.
Michael Weatherly has hinted at a comeback of NCIS.
Fans couldn’t get enough of NCIS special agent Tony DiNozzo for 13 seasons, especially his playful banter during his on-again, off-again romantic romance with fellow NCIS agent Ziva David, played by Cote de Pablo. Michael Weatherly left “NCIS” to take over as the lead on “Bull,” and he told The Hollywood Reporter that the timing couldn’t have been better after 13 seasons on the program. “I was burnt out by NCIS and I was ready for a new challenge,” he told the audience.
Weatherly has recently hinted at a return to “NCIS” in a few social media tweets. Weatherly shared a photo of himself sporting a hat and jacket similar to the one he wore as DiNozzo. Weatherly captioned the image, “#ncis Camera is King.” Weatherly adds another probable hint of a “NCIS” return in another tweet, which includes a photo of him dressed at DiNozzo. “This guy woke me up this morning,” Weatherly wrote beside the photo. “Then I realized it had all been a dream.” He couldn’t get Gibbs off his mind. As well as his shoulder holster. #ncis fantasy.”
Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, fled to be with his daughter.
Michael Weatherly left “NCIS” after Season 13, when his character discovered that Ziva David had d1ed and that he and David had a daughter, whom he traveled to France to be with (via CBR).
David, played by Cote de Pablo, began as a stand-in for Agent Kate Todd in Season 3 and grew into so much more. She made a startling comeback after her d3ath: she pretended to be d3ad to protect her loved ones. This twist occurred at the Season 16 finale, and she also appeared in the first few episodes of the following season. She eventually departed as well, moving to France.
De Pablo remarked on his leaving in 2016, saying, “I worked eight years crafting this character and loving her.” And so, if I felt or believed that the character was not being treated with the respect that she deserved, no amount of money could persuade her to stay” (via Express.co.uk).
Dr. Jason Bull’s story will now come to an end.
According to Newsweek, Michael Weatherly stated that Tony DiNozzo will “live on in the hearts and minds of the viewers” and that he “would absolutely be open to anything and everything, including things that no one’s even thought of yet” in regards to a comeback. This was expressed after Weatherly departed the program. In addition, he declared in 2018 (via Twitter) that “I will always be ready to play DiNozzo when the time is right”.
Now he’s going out of “Bull,” too. “It’s been my privilege to play Dr. Jason Bull but after 6 Seasons of incredible storylines, I’ve decided it’s time to pursue new creative challenges and bring his story to a close,” he said to Twitter yesterday. Working with this amazing cast, crew, and writing/producing team has been an honor as they helped to reimagine the courtroom drama. Watch this space for a major series finale. From the bottom of my heart, thanks to all of the fans. You will be a member of the Bull family for eternity!”
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