Mark Harmon is back on the case.
Mark Harmon, known for his 18 seasons on NCIS, is returning to play Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He’ll be appearing in a special episode that connects the original NCIS series with its new prequel, NCIS: Origins.
On Veterans Day, November 11th, special back-to-back episodes will begin with a story about a young Leroy (played by Austin Stowell) and his team investigating the death of a naval officer in a small town during the 1990s. This story, which unfolds on Origins, will then continue on NCIS as the case is unexpectedly reopened in the present day.
Even though Mark, age 74, hasn’t been on screen for four years, he’s still involved with the shows. He continues to work behind the scenes as an executive producer for both series, and he narrates every episode of Origins. He even made a quick appearance in the first episode of Origins when it premiered in 2024.
The actor, known for his role in Freaky Friday, said he decided to reprise his part as Leroy because co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal presented him with an offer he couldn’t turn down.
Mark praised the storytelling on Origins, highlighting David and Gina’s work in exploring the characters’ pasts. He shared that they pitched him an idea for a return appearance by Gibbs that he approved of, and felt it was a good moment to revisit the character. He expressed hope that fans would appreciate it.
David and Gina hinted that something big will happen for Leroy when he returns to the show.
According to a recent press release, Gibbs left four years ago to live in seclusion in Alaska. While they’re keeping details under wraps, the release hints that Gibbs now has company.
In the meantime, keep reading for a look at other stars who left their roles on hit TV series…
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.
Jax Taylor has said he won’t be back for season three of The Valley. This decision comes after fans 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 he needs to prioritize getting sober, improving his mental health, and being a good coparent. He feels this time is essential for his personal growth, particularly so he can be the best father to their son, Cruz.
Several cast members from Saturday Night Live recently announced they won’t be back for the show’s 51st season, with the announcements happening very close together.
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, has left the show after its successful first season.
The actress shared on Instagram on July 10th how honored she was to play Dr. Heather Collins in the show’s innovative first season. She also thanked viewers for watching, supporting the season, 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 events from the video game The Last of Us Part II which season two of The Last of Us is based on – the shocking way his character was killed still came as a surprise.
Pascal, known for dying in roles on shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t too upset about his character’s fate. He jokingly told Entertainment Weekly, “I get killed a lot. I actually enjoy it!”
Following what he called a “wild adventure,” Peter Krause finished his run as Bobby Nash, the fire department captain 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 who put their lives on the line for others. His storyline is meant to be a tribute to their dedication and selflessness.
The decision to kill off a popular, yet troubled, firefighter was definitely controversial, according to showrunner Tim Minear in an interview with 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 amazing community, and all the opportunities this journey has given me,” the Giggly Squad podcast cohost wrote on Instagram. “But, like everything else, it’s time to move on to the next part of my life.
The popular Netflix show won’t have the French actress in its fifth season, which is set to come out in April 2025. She has confirmed she’s leaving the series.
In an Instagram post on April 23rd, the actress announced she’s leaving Emily in Paris. She shared photos with her former co-stars and said her time on the show was amazing, full of growth, creativity, and cherished memories.
Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she will no longer be part of the show.
She shared on social media in July 2023 that her involvement with the show College Girls brought her to Los Angeles and connected her with many of her closest friends. She added that, after two and a half years, it’s also given her a wonderful community of fans like you.
Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s creators, also confirmed that Renée Rapp is leaving. She shared on Instagram that they’re sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s upcoming music tour, adding that they ‘love @reneerapp so much!’
After over a year of speculation, Kevin Costner confirmed in June 2024 that he won’t be back for the final season of the popular Paramount drama, following his departure after four and a half seasons.
In February 2023, Ellen Pompeo finished her run as the main character, Meredith Grey, on the ABC drama after 19 seasons.
Pompeo admitted on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she felt the need to try new things. Despite already returning for a guest appearance in May and continuing to narrate the show, she explained that at 53, her mind feels scattered. She compared it to needing a break from routine, saying you can’t do the same thing, like The New York Times crossword, every day.
Henry Cavill, known for playing Superman and Batman, has announced he’s leaving the Netflix series 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 after playing Geralt of Rivia, he would be stepping down from his role for Season 4, saying his time battling monsters and having adventures as the character had come to an end.
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 poured their heart and soul into making each week’s episode, and it’s been a rewarding experience,” said Jesse Soffer after his last appearance on the NBC show on October 5th. “I’m incredibly proud of my time playing Detective Jay Halstead.”
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 role a great opportunity and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, and cast and crew, with whom she enjoyed working.
Elizabeth Keen will never learn the truth about Raymond Reddington. Actress Megan Boone decided to leave NBC’s The Blacklist after season eight, 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 a 2021 Instagram post, marking the end of Liz’s story.
The second season of Bridgerton didn’t include Rege-Jean Page, who became a fan favorite in the first season of the popular Netflix drama. Fans were disappointed when it was announced he wouldn’t be returning in 2021.
He told Vanity Fair that he simply took on a job, completed it, and then did some additional work. “That’s all there is to it,” he said. “I wish there was a more exciting story behind 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, Rose 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, portraying a new character named Ryan Wilder who would become 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. Because of the pandemic, she made brief appearances in the first two episodes of season six. When season six was decided to be the show’s last, she returned for the final episode to give her character, Amy, and Jonah (Ben Feldman) a satisfying conclusion to their story.
In the 2019 finale of the Syfy series The Magicians, Jason Ralph’s character, Quentin, successfully rescued Eliot (played by Hale Appleman) but died in the process. Although the show often deals with death, Ralph didn’t reprise his role in the fifth and final season.
Ahead of the final season, Arrow‘s Emily Bett Rickards announced her exit in a poem of sorts.
Felicity and I are very close, but after the seventh day, we’ll have to say goodbye, she wrote.
She did, however, return for a guest appearance in the show’s 2020 series finale.
Lauren Cohan initially left The Walking Dead in 2018 after difficult contract talks. While she appeared in a few episodes of season nine, her character, Maggie Greene, disappeared after a time jump of six years. The show’s producers wanted her to come back, and when her short-lived TV series Whiskey Cavalier was canceled, she did. Cohan returned to The Walking Dead in the 16th episode of season ten, which aired in October 2020.
Following Danai Gurira’s co-star Cohan and Andrew Lincoln’s departures from the show, Gurira also finished her run. She first appeared as the skilled swordswoman Michonne in season three and her final episode aired in March 2020 after being part of the AMC series for ten seasons.
Nicollette Sheridan played the famous Alexis Carrington, appearing in several episodes of the first season and becoming a main cast member in the second. In 2019, she decided to leave the CW series before its third season to care for her sick mother.
George Eads left the CBS show in 2019, during its third season. He stated he wanted to focus more on his family at that time.
The show Lethal Weapon on Fox has seen its share of cast changes. Clayne Crawford was let go after season two, and his co-star, Damon Wayans, also planned to leave after the show’s third season. Wayans announced in October 2018 that he would finish the initial 13 episodes and then depart, citing his age and health as factors. He joked that his character, Murtaugh, would say he’s ‘too old for this.’
Fortunately, the producers didn’t have to worry about finding a replacement, as the show ended after just three seasons.
Ian Gallagher, played by Cameron Monaghan, ended up in jail on the show Shameless. While Monaghan decided to move on to other work after nine seasons, he surprisingly agreed to return for seasons 10 and 11, appearing in the show’s final season in December 2020.
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2025-10-29 01:18