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NCIS Writer Fought Character's Shocking Death
5 Jul
Summary
- Writer Jesse Stern opposed Mike Franks' onscreen demise.
- Franks was killed off by serial killer Jonas Cobb.
- Stern tried to prevent the character's death, but the showrunner was determined.
Mike Franks, a pivotal recurring character and mentor to Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the CBS series "NCIS," met his end in Season 8. The character, portrayed by Muse Watson, was fatally stabbed by serial killer Jonas Cobb in an episode titled "Swan Song." This storyline, however, did not sit well with writer Jesse Stern, who voiced his objections to the decision.
Stern recounted on a 2024 podcast that he attempted to dissuade executive producer Gary Glasberg from killing off Franks. He argued that bringing the character back solely to be killed off was too predictable and not the most impactful way to handle his exit. Despite Stern's strong pushback, Glasberg remained resolute in his decision to end Mike Franks' story arc on the show.
Franks' death by violence, rather than a previously considered plot involving lung cancer, surprised many viewers. While the handling of his departure sparked varied responses among the audience, Mike Franks continues to be remembered as a cherished figure within the "NCIS" narrative.
