Who Will Be the Next to Leave ‘NCIS’? A Look at Possible Season 16 Exits
Fans of CBS’s hit series NCIS were left in tears over Pauley Perrette‘s Season 15 exit, and she’s just the latest in a long line of stars who have come and gone, leaving many viewers wondering… who’s next?
Over five years ago in 2013, fan favorite Cote de Pablo left the show when her character, Ziva David, returned to her native Israel. Though not an original cast member — de Pablo joined NCIS in 2005 — the character certainly made an impact during her time there. Fans were particularly fond of the relationship between her and Michael Weatherly‘s character, Tony DiNozzo.
Michael Weatherly as DiNozzo and Cote de Pablo as Ziva in NCIS. (Richard Foreman/CBS)
The actress’ exit rocked the show’s fan base and it’s been a bumpy ride ever since, as Michael Weatherly followed suit three years later in May 2016. His character left to care for his daughter with Ziva, after de Pablo’s character was said to have been killed in Israel. These smooth but sullen departures seem small in comparison to how Weatherly’s fellow original cast member, Pauley Perrette, left the show.
Each of these characters received relatively hopeful storylines, and weren’t killed off by the writers — de Pablo’s character’s death happened off-screen years after her exit from the show. Whereas some of the newer cast members have met untimely ends amid their exits from the popular procedural.
For example, Duane Henry‘s Reeves was killed in the Season 15 finale when a mugger held him and Abby at gun point. Both characters were shot, but Henry’s character left the show because he died, while Abby left to honor his character’s memory.
So who will be next? There were a few potential options based on the predicaments of the characters at the end of Season 15, but now that Season 16 is midway through, the options have shifted a bit.
Initially Rocky Carroll‘s Vance, David McCallum‘s Ducky, Mark Harmon‘s Gibbs, and Sean Murray’s McGee seemed like the most likely contenders. None of these actors have hinted at leaving the show anytime soon, but that’s not to say they won’t.
At the end of Season 15, viewers saw Vance being held hostage on a plane by a terrorist who goes by the name Nigel Hakim (Pej Vahdat) or “The Monster.” It was a definite cliffhanger, and Vance’s longevity wasn’t guaranteed, but he made it through as he was saved in Season 16. Still, is there a chance he could exit in the future? It’s hard to tell considering the show’s penchant for toying with fans’ emotions.
Ducky, on the other hand, could very well exit stage left under the guise of retirement — Mallard is no spring chicken. Meanwhile, Gibbs doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, thanks to his fan following and importance to the fabric of the show.
But in the Season 16 midseason return, fans were driven to worry about McGee when he was arrested along with Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). Though they were ultimately let go, in the final moments of the episode, Kasie (Diona Reasonover) noted that McGee was sent a gift from tech company Splendifida. They don’t send these boxes to just anyone — only prospective employees. Could McGee be looking to move on? It seems possible.
From the original cast, McCallum, Harmon, and Murray are the only remaining stars of the show’s first season in 2003 — Weatherly and Perrette were the other members of that core cast. Since Season 16 has taken fans in different and unexpected directions, welcoming new full-time members like Kasie and more, the guessing game only grows larger.
A recent TV Line report hinted that, midway through the season, “the Secretary of Defense will be out for blood upon learning that Gibbs’ team defied his wishes, breaking the law in the process.” Because of this, the team “may land under the microscope, much as their Los Angeles- and New Orleans-based brethren have.”
So who will live to see another day? Are your favorite characters living on borrowed time?
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Ncis is my all time favorite show and I just turned 80. Still have my Ncis baseball cap. Give me ncis and a Coca Cola and I’m good to go. Just wish Ziva and Tony were back. Any chance of an appearance by them again? Sure hope so.
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I really don't want Rocky Carroll to leave. He is by far the most seasoned actor on the show and totally believable in his role. Stop killing off black male characters.
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Thank you for including Sean Murray's Tim McGee in your list of the original characters!! Every article I have read about the upcoming (and much rejoiced) season 16 has stated that the only original cast members remaining are Harmon and McCallum but, while Murray was not listed as a regular cast member in the opening credits until season 2, he was a regularly recurring character after his first guest appearance in season 1 episode 8 "Sub Rosa"... reportedly brought back due to an already strong NCIS fan base loving the quirky dork that managed to wrangle a date with Abby. For me, it wasn't long before he took over my own favorite character spot - beating out Ms. Sciuto herself.
I, for one, will keep watching until they finally all call it quits. And if crap like The Simpsons can last for 30 years, we as the fans, need to continue to support our favorite MCRT in the weird orange bullpen!!
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But I thought Tim ce in season 2 tho so therefore he isn't an original character he has just been on a really long time
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It could be looked at both ways. Tim was not an regular character until the beginning of Season 2 but he was a regularly recurring character for a decent chunk of Season 1. 8 episodes out of 23 and only missed in 8 episodes after his intro in "Sub Rosa" 1.08. Not bad for a recurring role that was originally only meant for 1 episode.
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Sad to say but Abby was really getting on my nerves. She is almost 50,a near genius,yet acts the fool with the knee high socks,pony tail hair and a dog collar. Come on now. Why they did not allow this character to grow and mature as both Tim,Jimmy and even Tony did before he left to raise his child is just wrong. No one stays a teen forever. If Gibb's can learn to smile and be happy to be alive--Abby can dress as an adult--still with her "style". The best she ever looked?--The white backless dress she wore when she played dress up on Halloween "Marilyn Monroe" the light hair was perfect with her skin and the low back dress---wonderful fit for her.
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I completely agree!! I loved Abby for years (unless she was using and abusing McGee) but the last couple of seasons I just kept shaking my head. The scene that pissed me off the most was her spilling the news about Delilah being pregnant in season 14. Honestly? She needed a nice big Gibbs-Smack for that one!
Now, don't get me wrong... Pauley was absolutely brilliant for all 15 years she was with the show and I was VERY happy that they didn't kill her off, but the writers dropped the ball when it came to character growth. I mean, I might not even recognize myself from 15 years ago if I peaked thru a time portal.
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Ummmm the woman who plays Abbey I n the hit hit TV show, NCIS . Is almost fifty , not the Character Abby .
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How about white female characters? Ziva, but it didn't stick, (bring Ziva back), Jennie, Kate, Diane, Shannon, Kelly, two other female agents - can't remember their names, one with the shoe in the beach fire, and the lady who stopped the bomber.
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A couple of thing’s. Since when do you believe those “rags” spewing innuendos about Mark Harmon and Pauley not getting along. If it’s true, give me Mark any day. As to the newer people, I REALLY like Jack. One thing about Pauley, are her tattoos real or just done for the show?
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why do you say that
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Sean was a guest in a bunch of episodes first season, starting with like the 8th episode. Wasn't full cast until season 2 premiere. 😁
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Thanks for the clarification, the error has been fixed!
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So was "Jimmy"...
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Get rid of Gibbs
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I stopped being a devoted viewer when "Bishop" replaced "Ziva", I truly think she was ridiculous casting, awful actress, but I continued to watch sporadically even when "Tony" left, but the newer cast just doesn't click with me. It has lost its magic. The only episode that I watched last season was "Abby's" departure. All the negative stories surrounding Mark Harmon and her, have totally turned me off the show and Harmon. It has gone from a must watch to a probably never watch again.
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