Is Mark Harmon going to be in NCIS season 19?

MARK HARMON has been the leading man of NCIS since its very first episode but will he return for season 19?

Mark Harmon is the actor behind Leroy Gibbs, the veteran agent who has been both a boss as well as a father figure to many throughout NCIS. He has seen the team change with the majority of its original characters leaving and have welcomed the new cast into the fold. There have been concerns though that his time in the CBS drama is running out.

Is Mark Harmon going to be in NCIS season 19? 

For the past few years, there has been talk of actor Harmon taking a step back from NCIS.

His character Gibbs is now too old to be a field agent in real life so fans have considered that he may soon retire.

The fact Harmon’s contract expires at the end of season 18 was also a major concern for fans as if he was going to leave, then this would be the perfect time to.

Luckily, it doesn’t sound like he will be making his exit during the upcoming season.

Last night, Thursday, April 15, CBS confirmed NCIS has been renewed for series 19.

Along with the popular drama, other shows were given another season, including S.W.A.T, Blue Bloods and Michael Weatherly’s Bull.

According to Deadline who also reported on these renewals, the publication stated actor Harmon will be returning for the new episodes.

Deadline stated: “The series’ leading man and executive producer, Mark Harmon, is expected to be back after lengthy negotiations, which has been the case every year for the past few years.”

Even though Gibbs is expected to return for series 19, this doesn’t necessarily mean he will remain an agent.

In season 18’s Watchdog, Gibbs was suspended after he beat up a man who had been part of a dog-fighting ring and killing those animals who were no longer of use to him.

Unfortunately, Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) had no choice but to suspend Gibbs, forcing him to hand over his gun and badge.

This has set up a storyline whereby Gibbs is spending time away from the office and starting to experience what retirement could be like if he decided to give up the job.

Even if Gibbs does retire, this doesn’t mean actor Harmon won’t remain in the show.

There is potential that a deal could have been drafted up to keep him in the series but with fewer scenes.

Prior to the series 19 renewal, The Hollywood Reporter said: “Sources say when Harmon heard CBS would end the flagship series if he left, the star and exec producer began conversations with the network and producers CBS Studios to return for a handful of episodes if the procedural was to return for a 19th season.”

So could there be a chance Gibbs will actually retire when season 19 comes around?

As of yet, it is not clear when season 19 of NCIS will begin.

Series 18 will be coming to an end next month with the finale airing on Tuesday, May 25.

If filming was able to begin again reasonably soon, then NCIS may return later this year.

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