10 Former ‘NCIS’ Franchise Stars We Want to See Return (PHOTOS)

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Shalita Grant (NCIS: New Orleans)

Role: NCIS Agent Sonja Percy

How She Left: Percy turned in her badge after risking her life to stop a Chinese operative. As she survived, there’s a good chance Grant could return.

2014 Summer TCA Tour - Day 10
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Zoe McLellan (NCIS: New Orleans)

Role: Special Agent Meredith ‘Merri’ Brody

How She Left: Her position as a special agent was compromised because of a relationship with a Homeland Security agent. She could return since her storyline was left open-ended.

Pauley Perrette
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Pauley Perrette (NCIS)

Role: Abby Sciuto

How She Left: After getting shot, Abby announced she was leaving town to oversee the charity that Reeves (Duane Henry) planned to start in honor of his late mother. In-story, she could return and meet back up with the team. However, Perrette has said that she has no plans to ever return, so that would have to change.

NCIS - 'Something Blue' - Jennifer Esposito and Emily Wickersham
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Jennifer Esposito (NCIS)

Role: NCIS Special Agent Alexandra ‘Alex’ Quinn

How She Left: She left to take care of her mother who had Alzheimer’s, so Alex could return for a short visit.

NCIS
Cliff Lipson/CBS

Michael Weatherly (NCIS)

Role: NCIS Special Agent Anthony ‘Tony’ DiNozzo Jr.

How He Left: He resigned from NCIS to care for his daughter, Tali, and search for Ziva. After her return, it’s possible he could make a guest appearance.

Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service Celebrates Their 100th Episode
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Lauren Holly (NCIS)

Role: Director Jenny Shepard

How She Left: Jenny was killed in a shootout, so a return is unlikely unless in a flashback or “Life Before His Eyes” scenario.

Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander and Michael Weatherly in NCIS
Monty Brinton/CBS

Sasha Alexander (NCIS)

Role: NCIS Special Agent Caitlin Todd

How She Departed: She was killed by a sniper, so a resurrection is impossible. There are always flashbacks and lost scenes (like in “A Man Walks Into a Bar…”).

Granger, O
Michael Yarish/CBS

Miguel Ferrer (NCIS: Los Angeles)

Role: NCIS Assistant Director Owen Granger

How He Left: He was written off the show by walking out of the hospital after being treated. Later, Sam (LL Cool J) and Callen (Chris O’Donnell) learned he spent time with his daughter before his death. Sadly, Ferrer passed away from throat cancer in 2017.

Andrea Bordeaux as Special Agent Harley Hidoko in 'Liabilities' episode of NCIS: Los Angeles
Bill Inoshita/CBS

Andrea Bordeaux (NCIS: Los Angeles)

Role: NCIS Special Agent Harley Hidoko

How She Left: Hidoko went missing in Mexico and then her remains were identified during the Season 10 premiere, so that’s sadly a wrap for the character. With Mosley (Nia Long) gone, it’s also unlikely there would be any flashbacks for which she could return.

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Ron P. Jaffe/CBS

Adam Jamal Craig (NCIS: Los Angeles)

Role: NCIS Agent Dominic Vail

How He Left: Dom was captured by terrorists and, during his rescue mission, died from gunfire wounds. RIP Dom!

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NCIS and its two spinoffs, NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans, are three of CBS’s most successful shows.

Season after season, the producers, writers, and actors deliver even higher stakes, heart-racing drama, and life-or-death scenarios that the agents must fight their way out of.

But as with any series with large ensemble casts, many characters/actors come and go — and sometimes even return. The Season 16 finale was a perfect example of that, as Ziva (Cote de Pablo), previously presumed dead, appeared in the final scene with a warning for Gibbs (Mark Harmon).

We’re looking at all of the former NCIS stars who have left one of the shows and fans would love to see return. Click through the gallery above!

NCIS, Season 17 Premiere, Tuesday, September 24, 8/7c, CBS