Mark Harmon is not leaving the show despite the rumors. In fact, he just signed a new deal with CBS for the upcoming “NCIS” season 17.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Harmon is staying not just for the seventeenth season of the “NCIS,” but he will also remain as executive producers of the series’ spinoffs “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “NCIS: New Orleans” that were also renewed for new seasons. Commenting on the renewals of the three police procedural dramas that involved the veteran actor, president of CBS Entertainment, Kelly Kahl, said, "Both shows have been key pillars to the CBS schedule for several years. They offer heroic stories, big stars and have attracted a passionate, loyal fan base.”
The series’ renewal and latest signing of new contracts can now refute the rumors that the 67-year-old actor is set to exit the show and leave his Leroy Jethro Gibbs character after playing the role for 16 years. Moreover, the speculations that the drama concluded in the previous season is also proven false since CBS just officially announced its renewal.
In any case, the reports that Mark Harmon is leaving the show did not stop even if they were already denied for a couple of times. Various media outlets come up with different reasons for the actor’s supposed departure including health issues and alleged feuds with co-workers, but apparently, these are false news.
Meanwhile, there is something that will make Harmon leave the show. He revealed in his previous interview that it is time to walk away from “NCIS” if he feels that the writers have no more exciting stories to tell.
“Right now our writers are all very up and excited. You can see it on their faces. Now, if I ever witness them walking into the writers’ room with their heads down, feeling they’ve done it all, that would be the time to say, ‘I think I’m done here,’” Mark Harmon told TV Insider.
