NCIS Season 24 Cast Changes: Wilmer Valderrama Teases Character Death

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Grab the tissues, NCIS fans.

Okay, so I’m completely obsessed with NCIS, and I’m already freaking out! They’ve had so many changes over the years – even during their 500th episode, can you believe it?! – but Wilmer Valderrama, my absolute FAVORITE, is hinting that more cast members might be leaving in season 24! I’m trying not to panic, but seriously, what if?! I need to know everything!

Every couple of years, the team behind NCIS likes to keep things fresh to make sure viewers are still engaged,” actor Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Special Agent Nick Torres, recently told People magazine. “We change things up, listen to what fans want, and try to deliver the experiences they’re hoping for.”

After a shocking turn in season 23 where Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) was killed off after 18 years, it’s clear that any character could be unexpectedly written out of the show.

I think some big changes are coming,” the actor from That ’70s Show said. “I might get in trouble for saying this, but I predict major changes and new faces next season. I’m just hoping Torres survives it all.”

It’s been over a year since the season 23 finale, and honestly, I’ve been constantly worried about his character! Remember when he and Mateo McGee (Patrick Keleher) were attacked? It was terrifying! The actor even hinted that one of them was going to be seriously hurt – like, actually shot – and it’s been keeping me on the edge of my seat ever since.

Honestly, we’re still working through that,” the 46-year-old said with a smile. “We haven’t really decided what we want to achieve yet. I asked what our goals were, but I can tell you someone will be upset by the outcome, and not everyone will be happy about it.

Viewers are still waiting to learn what will happen to characters like Torres, McGee, and the rest of the team—including Alden Parker (Gary Cole), Jessica Knight (Katrina Law), and Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen). If any of the actors need guidance on how to handle potentially leaving the show, Carroll is a great example to follow.

I have to remind people that I’ve played this character for 18 years,” he told Variety in a recent interview. “That’s a long time in Hollywood – most careers don’t last that long. Being able to play the same character on such a popular show for 18 seasons feels like a really long life, almost like living to 105!”

NCIS returns for season 24 this fall on CBS.

In the meantime, keep reading to see more TV stars who shocked fans by leaving their hit shows.

Bridget Regan, who plays Monica Stevens on The Rookie, revealed her character has a knack for surviving dangerous situations. “She’s gotten out of being assassinated multiple times, served time in prison, and even survived being thrown into a woodchipper,” Regan told TV Insider, reflecting on Monica’s four seasons on the show.

Regan said she wasn’t shocked when the attorney’s character died in an April 2026 episode. “It felt right,” she explained. “She had a great four-year run on the show, and I’m just thankful for everything.”

After gaining fame on Dancing With the Stars and performing in Chicago on Broadway, the actress from Utah has announced that the fifth season of the popular Hulu reality show will be her last. She’s leaving to pursue other career opportunities.

Dr. Samira Mohan is leaving the show The Pitt. Actress Supriya Ganesh will not be back for the third season of the HBO Max drama, according to Variety.

Fans aren’t surprised by the character’s departure, as it’s been established that Ganesh was planning to move to a new hospital for his residency.

In a March 2026 episode, the crime drama said farewell to Director Leon Vance, a character played by Rocky Carroll, after 18 years on the show. Vance was killed in a shootout with a dishonest agent during the show’s 500th episode, and in a touching scene, he was greeted in heaven by the late Donald “Ducky” Mallard, played by Adam Campbell.

Fans were surprised in 2025 to learn that Mehcad Brooks was leaving the NBC crime show before its 25th season.

Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.

After almost 20 years playing their roles as Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman, Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver have announced they are leaving the medical drama. Their last episode will be the season 22 finale on May 7, 2026, which surprised many fans.

Jenna Lyons has confirmed she won’t be back for season 16 of The Real Housewives of New York City.

I was so excited to see the news confirmed! Jenna Lyons posted on Instagram on November 21st that she is joining Season 16 of RHONY as a ‘friend of’! Apparently, she and the producers had talked about it beforehand, knowing her private life wasn’t something she wanted to share on camera, and they both agreed it was a good fit. I’m really looking forward to seeing her on the show!

The fashion icon, who started on the Bravo show in 2022 for its fourteenth season, realized she didn’t want to be just a supporting player.

After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to rejoin the show,” she explained. “I’d be the oldest and only openly gay woman participating, and I believe this creates a chance for fresh perspectives and a new energy to come through.

After nine seasons, the A-list realtor is done selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show.

In November, Chrishell shared on social media that she no longer needs to work on the show for financial reasons. She explained that she’s fortunate to have other jobs and that continuing with the show was negatively impacting her mental well-being.

Jax Taylor has confirmed he won’t be back for season three of The Valley. This decision comes after viewers expressed concerns about his actions during the show’s second season.

In July 2025, the Bravo star, who is going through a difficult divorce with Brittany Cartwright, explained that his priorities are getting sober, improving his mental health, and being a good coparent. He said taking time to focus on these things is essential for his personal growth and, most importantly, for his son, Cruz.

Several cast members from Saturday Night Live recently announced they won’t be back for the show’s 51st season, with the news coming within a short period of time for each of them.

Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.

Following the departures of Longfellow, Walker, and Wakim from Saturday Night Live, two more popular cast members, Gardner and Nwodim, announced they wouldn’t be back for the show’s 51st season. Gardner had been with the show for eight seasons, and Nwodim for seven.

Sofia Mattsson finished her role on the long-running soap opera in the summer of 2025, after seven years as Sasha Gilmore. Her character moved to Paris as part of the storyline.

Tracy Ifeachor, who starred in the popular HBO Max series The Pitt, decided not to return after its successful first season.

The actress shared on Instagram on July 10th how honored she was to play Dr. Heather Collins in what she called a truly special season of the show. She also thanked viewers for watching, supporting season one, and sharing their personal experiences with her.

Even though fans likely expected Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, to die – his fate in April 2025 mirrored the events of The Last of Us Part II, the video game the second season of The Last of Us is based on – the sudden and violent way his character died still came as a shock.

Pascal, known for dying in popular shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t surprised by his character’s fate. He jokingly told Entertainment Weekly that he’s used to it – he actually enjoys playing characters who meet an end!

Following what he called a “wild adventure,” Peter Krause finished his run as Captain Bobby Nash on the drama series 9-1-1 in an episode that aired in April 2025.

According to a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the character Bobby Nash was intentionally created to make a powerful sacrifice, reflecting the bravery of real-life first responders. Creator Dick Wolf wanted his storyline to pay tribute to those who risk their lives to save others.

The decision to kill off a popular, yet troubled, firefighter was definitely controversial, showrunner Tim Minear told Variety. He explained that after eight seasons, it was necessary for the show to have real consequences in future storylines, and that meant someone had to die.

Summer just got a little less fun.

In June 2025, Paige DeSorbo revealed she was leaving the Bravo series after being on the show for seven seasons.

After sharing seven summers with you all, I’m so thankful for the memories, the support, and everything this journey has given me,” the Giggly Squad podcast host wrote on Instagram. “But it’s time to move on to new things, just like with all good things – and even some mistakes – in life.

The popular Netflix show won’t have the French actress in its fifth season, which is set to release in April 2025.

In an Instagram post on April 23rd, the actress announced she’s leaving Emily in Paris. Sharing photos with her former co-stars, she described her time on the show as an amazing experience full of growth, creativity, and cherished memories.

Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she’s leaving the show.

I’m so grateful for the show College Girls! It brought me out to Los Angeles and connected me with some truly amazing people. And after two and a half years, it’s led to all of you – this incredible community means the world to me.

Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s creators, also confirmed that Reneé Rapp is leaving. She posted on Instagram that they’re sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s upcoming music tour. Kaling expressed a lot of love for Rapp and her talent.

After over a year of speculation, Kevin Costner confirmed in June 2024 that he won’t be returning for the fifth and final season of the popular Paramount drama. Rumors had circulated that he unexpectedly left the show after four and a half seasons.

In February 2023, Ellen Pompeo finished her run as Meredith Grey on the ABC drama after playing the character for 19 years.

Pompeo said on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she needed to try new things. She explained that at 53, her mind feels a bit scattered, and you can’t just do the same thing, like The New York Times crossword, every day. Despite this, she’s already returned for a guest appearance in May and continues to narrate the show.

But she’s not gone for good. Pompeo still pops in and out of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Henry Cavill, known for playing Superman and Batman, has announced he’s leaving the Netflix series The Witcher after its third season. Liam Hemsworth will take over the role of Geralt, starting with season four and likely continuing in future seasons.

In an October 2022 Instagram post, Henry Cavill announced that his time playing Geralt of Rivia was coming to an end. He said he would be stepping down from the role for Season 4, putting away his Witcher medallion and swords.

Jesse Lee Soffer, an original cast member, left the show in 2022 after playing Detective Jay Halstead for ten seasons.

Everyone involved with the show has put a lot of heart and effort into making each episode, and I’m incredibly proud of my time playing Detective Jay Halstead,” Soffer said after appearing in the Oct. 5 episode.

After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime’s Billions in Oct. 2021.

In August 2021, Emily VanCamp left the TV show The Resident on Fox, meaning she would no longer be playing her role as a doctor.

Madeleine Mantock, who played Macy on the CW’s Charmed reboot, decided to leave the show after three seasons. She announced her departure in 2021, calling the experience a great opportunity and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, cast, and crew.

Elizabeth Keen will never learn the truth about Raymond Reddington. Actress Megan Boone decided to leave The Blacklist after eight seasons, and her character was killed off before she could read a letter containing the big reveal. Boone described her time on the show as “a dream” in an Instagram post when she announced her departure in 2021.

The second season of Bridgerton didn’t include Regé-Jean Page, who became a fan favorite in the show’s first season. Fans were disappointed when it was announced in 2021 that he wouldn’t be returning.

He told Vanity Fair that he simply did the work he’d agreed to, and then took on additional assignments. He admitted it wasn’t a particularly exciting story, wishing there was more to it.

Ruby Rose first appeared as Batwoman (Kate Kane) in a 2018 Arrowverse event and then led the CW’s Batwoman series for one season. This was a landmark moment, as she became the first openly lesbian superhero to star in her own show. However, she announced her departure from the series just two days after the first season concluded in 2020. In season two, Javicia Leslie took over the role, playing a new character named Ryan Wilder who became the new Batwoman.

Later on in season two, Kate got a bit of a face swap and returned played by Wallis Day.

America Ferrera left the show Superstore after its fifth season in 2020, which meant Cloud 9 lost its manager and the show lost a central character. Due to the pandemic, she made a brief appearance in the first two episodes of season six. When season six became the show’s final season, she returned for the last episode to give her character, Amy, and Jonah (Ben Feldman) a satisfying conclusion to their story.

In the last episode of season four of the Syfy show The Magicians, Jason Ralph’s character, Quentin, successfully rescued Eliot, played by Hale Appleman, but died in the process. Although the show often features characters dying—it is called The Magicians, after all—Ralph didn’t appear in the fifth and final season.

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2026-06-05 19:21