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NCIS Exits: Shocking Departures & Returns
29 Oct
Summary
- Several original NCIS cast members have departed since 2003.
- Some exits were shocking deaths, others standard departures.
- Many actors returned for spinoffs or guest appearances.
The venerable NCIS, which began in 2003, has bid farewell to several key characters throughout its extensive run. These departures have ranged from shocking on-screen deaths to voluntary exits, leaving a significant impact on the series and its dedicated fanbase. Some notable exits include Special Agent Caitlin Todd, whose assassination in season 2 was a pivotal moment, and Director Jenny Shepard, who was killed off in season 5.
More recent departures that resonated with viewers include Cote de Pablo's Ziva David, whose character was initially presumed dead before a surprise return, and Michael Weatherly's Tony DiNozzo, who left to raise his daughter. Pauley Perrette's beloved forensic scientist Abby Sciuto also departed in season 15. Mark Harmon, who played the iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs for nearly two decades, found peace in Alaska after his season 19 exit.
Many of these actors have since continued their careers in television, with some reprising their NCIS roles in spinoffs like NCIS: Origins. Rocky Carroll, who played Leon Vance, experienced a dramatic on-screen death in season 23, marking a significant event in the series' 500th episode. These impactful character exits have consistently kept audiences invested in the evolving narrative of NCIS.
