As the Season 19 Premiere of NCIS Approaches, What Will Become of Special Agent Gibbs?

Published: September 14, 2021

As the Season 19 Premiere of NCIS Approaches, What Will Become of Special Agent Gibbs?

By Movieguide® Staff

Although CBS confirmed the 19th season of NCIS, fans were left on a cliffhanger in the season 18 finale when Special Agent Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, was launched from his boat after an explosion.

The question on everyone’s mind is: will Harmon return?

“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 in a recent interview. “In terms of his on-air appearances, we’re just going to have to see how it plays out going forward.”

Rumors surrounding Harmon’s retirement from NCIS have circulated for a few seasons. However, Kahl did not give any hints as to whether season 19 will be Harmon’s last.

“We take it year by year with Mark, we’d love to have him as long as he’d like to be here,” Kahl told Deadline in a separate interview. “Even in this past season, he might have been light in a couple of [episodes], so we’re happy to work around his schedule.”

Earlier this year, CBS announced a change to NCIS’ time slot. Movieguide® reported:

After 18 Seasons of NCIS, the hit crime series cemented itself as a staple on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. However, the most-watched series on CBS and Mark Harmon are moving to a new time slot for the upcoming season.

CBS announced that NCIS will air on Mondays and that Tuesday’s lineup will consist of FBI, FBI: INTERNATIONAL, and FBI: MOST WANTED.

The change mirrors NBC’s strategy of showing three dramas from one franchise on the same night.

Some episodes of the franchise have been nominated for Movieguide® Awards for their patriotic content.