Mark Harmon’s Candid Reaction To NCIS’ Latest Major Death Revealed By Exiting Star

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Mark Harmon wasn’t happy with NCIS‘s latest major death.

As a long-time fan, I’ve been watching NCIS since it started back in 2003, and it’s definitely changed a lot over the years! When Mark Harmon’s Gibbs retired during season 19, it felt like a real turning point. The show had to figure out who it was without him, and it’s been a bit of a bumpy ride since then – ratings dipped for a while. But lately, it seems like things are really turning around, and the show is finding its footing again as we head into the 2025-2026 season.

The CBS show NCIS reached a significant achievement in March 2026 with its 500th episode. Viewers anticipated a particularly memorable installment, and the episode, titled “All Good Things,” delivered. Beyond a typical case, it featured a pivotal moment for the series: the death of Director Leon Vance. While actor Rocky Carroll Jr. accepted the storyline, Mark Harmon had a different reaction when he learned about his character’s fate.

I was listening to an interview with Carroll, and he shared something really interesting about how Mark Harmon reacted when Vance died on NCIS. Apparently, Harmon wasn’t a fan of the storyline at all! He really didn’t like the idea of Vance having a twist ending, and even suggested his character, Gibbs, would have tried to prevent it. It’s fascinating to hear how much input the actors had, and Carroll shared the full story if you’re interested.

He wasn’t as enthusiastic about the idea as I was, to put it mildly. He expressed concern about my long tenure in the role – almost twenty years – and seemed genuinely worried about things ending. The other cast members felt the same way, desperately wanting to find a way to prevent it. I felt like the one trying to reason with them, like telling Vance that while it’s sad, it’s time to accept things and move forward. Ultimately, it’s a strong episode with a compelling story, and we’ve all had conversations about accepting that life goes on.

It’s easy to understand why Harmon felt the way he did after learning what happened to Vance in “All Good Things.” Carroll’s character had been a steady presence on NCIS for a long time, especially as the show changed over the years. His departure was tough, particularly because the series is currently transitioning to a new phase.

Even though Vance’s death is upsetting, almost everyone agrees that the 500th episode of NCIS was a strong story. It was one of the show’s most imaginative episodes in years, and it’s particularly meaningful as Vance’s farewell. It was a daring and arguably the best send-off for any NCIS character, even surpassing Gibbs’ retirement. The episode was moving, original, and truly left a lasting impression. Vance’s death will fundamentally change NCIS going forward.

With Carroll Jr. gone from the show, expect some significant changes for the NCIS team. Although they didn’t show a funeral, his children might appear in a future case – something NCIS often does. Currently, though, the bigger focus is on finding a new director for the agency, now that Vance has passed away.

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2026-04-04 20:08