CBS’ Kelly Kahl on Mark Harmon’s "NCIS" Future
by Nellie Andreeva
September 9, 2021


One of the biggest cliffhangers heading into this coming broadcast season involves Mark Harmon’s "NCIS" character Special Agent Gibbs who was last seen swimming off after being thrown in the water by an explosion on his new boat.

But even more suspenseful than Gibbs’ fate has been the future on-screen presence of Harmon who has headlined "NCIS" since its launch 18 years ago. He also is an executive producer on the venerable procedural drama, which returns for its 19th season Sept. 20 in its new Monday 9 PM slot.




In an interview tied to CBS’ TCA presentation, Deadline asked the network’s Entertainment President Kelly Kahl about the extent of Harmon’s on-screen involvement next season and whether this could be his last season on the show or "NCIS’" final season. He would not confirm how many episodes Harmon is in this coming season, rumored to be just handful.

“Mark’s always been part of the show, Mark’s always going to be part of the show,” Kahl said. “In terms of his on-air appearances, we’re just going to have to see how it plays out going forward.”

As for "NCIS’" end game, Kahl indicated that it is too early to discuss wrapping any of CBS’ veteran series this coming season before the executives have seen how the network’s new shows perform.

https://deadline.com/2021/09/mark-harmon-ncis-future-cbs-season-19-1234830092/

Mark Harmon says goodbye to NCIS after two decades (https://tvline.com/lists/mark-harmon-last-ncis-episode-season-19-episode-4-gibbs-leaves/fathers-gibbs-libby-alonak-father/)

Harmon officially bid farewell to two decades of playing Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the fourth episodes of NCIS' 19th season on Monday night. “I’m not going back, Tim…. I’m not going back home," (https://twitter.com/TVLine/status/1447760011459977217) Gibbs tells Sean Murray's Special Agent Timothy McGee while fishing in Tuesday's episode, which saw them out in Alaska, solving a case involving a contract killer hired by a local company. Harmon reportedly wanted to exit at the end of last season, but decided to stay in a limited capacity this season after learning CBS might cancel NCIS if he left the show. Will Gibbs return? NCIS showrunner Steve Binder said of Harmon in a statement: “As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the show. Our north star has always been staying true to our characters, and that truth has always guided the stories we tell and where those characters go. So regarding the future of Gibbs, as long-time fans of the show may have noticed over the years… never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out.”

Mark Harmon's NCIS exit revealed the answer to one of the show's biggest mysteries (https://tvline.com/2021/10/11/ncis-mystery-solved-how-gibbs-gets-boat-from-basement/)

How did Gibbs get his boats out of his basement?