Mark Harmon’s departure from NCIS in 2021 marked a turning point for the long-running series. As the show’s lead for nearly two decades, his character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, had been the backbone of the team. His exit raised serious concerns about the show’s future, with many fans fearing that NCIS would struggle to maintain its momentum without its most iconic character.

In the seasons following Harmon’s departure, viewership saw a noticeable decline. While the show introduced new characters to fill the void, some longtime fans found it difficult to adjust to the changes. Many speculated that without Gibbs, NCIS had lost its heart, leading to rumors that the network might consider ending the series altogether.

Despite the challenges, NCIS managed to stay afloat, relying on fresh storylines and its dedicated fan base. While cancellation fears were real, the show adapted and continued to thrive, proving that even after losing its biggest star, it still had life left in it.