Why NCIS was nearly canceled after Mark Harmon's decision to leave

While Mark Harmon re-immersed himself in the NCIS world recently, his departure from the original series almost tanked the show . Mark, who played Leroy Jethro Gibbs, decided to step down from the show's lead role, making his last appearance in 2021. After informing the team, concern quickly grew about the show's future .

Gary Cole, who took over Mark's role on the team as Agent Alden Parker, explained on the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast that when the idea came up "somewhere between season 18 and season 19," the creators scrambled for a solution. "There was talk that they would just end it," confessed Gary. He went on to add that he didn't know "why [Mark] would be surprised" by that option as "it could have been a possibility.



" NCIS fans 'have so many questions' as new photos show Timothy McGee in 'intense' situation NCIS writers lay foundation for Sean Murray's potential replacement in Season 22 Luckily, the show survived when the network reached an agreement with Mark to bring him back briefly in season 19 to transition Gary's character in after a few episodes. Gary said: "I think the way they did it was smart because rather than him leaving one day - there's a knock on the door, 'Hi, I'm the new guy,' - We did shows together involved in the same case. They worked for the FBI and we worked in tandem and they had conflict.

" Years later, Mark is lending a hand in the universe once again. The franchise launched their latest spin-off, NCIS: Origins, which explores Gibbs' early days in crime investigating. "I just know that I'm going to try to help the show in any way I can," he told Entertainment Tonight he said after making a little cameo.

A source told Radar Online : "For someone who said three years ago he was retiring, Mark's still very immersed in the franchise and must have a say in everything from casting to plot lines. He's still an executive producer, and he's stretching it as far as he can. He can't help himself!" "He's got opinions to share with the younger generation and is not afraid to dish out report cards and judgment from afar", an insider dished.

There certainly are some people who appreciate a little wisdom, but others are finding Mark's constant interfering annoying and wish he'd ease up." DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter..