Why NCIS Favorites May Return for Season 21

Published: October 30, 2023

Why NCIS Favorites May Return for Season 21

By Movieguide® Contributor

As NCIS looks to honor David McCallum following his death this September, many fans are theorizing that more than one beloved character will return for the memorial.

Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, McCallum’s character on the show, was the longest-running character, as the actor joined NCIS in 2003 and still made appearances until his death. With his long tenure on the show, McCallum has left a long-lasting impression on nearly every actor who worked on NCIS.

Now, as the show seeks to honor McCallum and his legacy, some fans see it as the perfect opportunity for beloved characters – like Mark Harmons’s Leroy Gibbs and Michael Weatherly’s Anthony DiNozzo – to return.

The return of these characters is more possible because these actors have hinted interest in reprising their roles.

Weatherly has been active on X this year, posting multiple times about Anthony DiNozzo, even though it has been 10 years since he last appeared on NCIS. While Weatherly has not spoken about a return, the show is clearly on his mind.

Harmon, meanwhile, has teased a return in the past, saying that he would likely return to the show shortly after he left. However, Gibbs has yet to reappear.

Earlier this year, Harmon explained that he had put all his time toward writing a novel about a true story from the Office of Naval Intelligence, leaving him no time to return to the show. However, with the release of that book in November, Season 21 may prove the perfect time for his return.

Like DiNozzo, nothing has been confirmed about Gibb’s return, but fans who have been waiting may finally see their hopes fulfilled.

Movieguide® previously reported:

NCIS fans were sad to hear Mark Harmon would be leaving the crime show after 19 seasons, but showrunner Steven D. Binder has given fans hope for Harmon’s return.

While appearing at PaleyFest, Binder said, “Never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs [Harmon’s character] out. What the future will hold I can’t say, but I wouldn’t count anybody out, dead or alive, on the show.”

Sean Murray, who stars on NCIS as Special Agent Timothy McGee, has also mentioned the possibility of Harmon returning to the show.