The US loves a well-run police procedural. NCIS is an excellent example. season.

The series is facing a problem with its latest episode. Rumors abound that Mark Harmon, the long-time star of the show, might be considering leaving his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, after 18 seasons of service.

This happened after Ellie Bishop, Emily Wickersham’s Ellie Bishop, and Jack Sloane, Maria Bello’s Jack Sloane left the show during its latest run. It means that the NCIS Major Case Response Team could be a completely different team when they return to NCIS.

We have all the information we can about NCIS season 19, which will see some of the biggest changes since the series’ inception.

What Season Will There Be For NCIS Season 19?

The involvement of Mark Harmon, the leading man in the case, was up for discussion for some time. There were also concerns about NCIS: New Orleans closing the case file.

Fans were relieved to learn that NCIS was renewed in April 2021 for season 19. This would continue its reign as one of the longest-running scripted programs on television.

Surprised that CBS would cancel its flagship series? Not with the news that NCIS: Hawaii, a third spin-off of the network, was already in development to join the returning NCIS Los Angeles.

NCIS Season 19 Release Dates

NCIS season 19 has not yet been released. However, the NCIS Major Case Response Team will be returning to UK screens. January 2022.

The show typically premieres a new episode every September, in line with the US network television season. But NCIS 18 was delayed because of the coronavirus epidemic.

The delayed season finally began in November 2020 in America and January 2021 in the UK. The show is now adapted for filming during a Pandemic in Los Angeles and may begin closer to its original September premiere date.

In any case, this will have little impact on UK fans. The show won’t air on Fox until January next season for the last 10 seasons.

Is Mark Harmon leaving NCIS?

After long negotiations and fan speculation, it is now confirmed that Leroy Jethro Gibbs star Mark Harmon will reprise his role. However, there is a catch.

Harmon will not be leading the series for the first time. Gary Cole, a TV veteran, will fill the Harmon-sized void.

CBS is yet to elaborate on the specifics of Harmon’s limited commitment. However, TV Line claims that Harmon’s episodes will “be in the single digits”.

The Hollywood Reporter article stated that Harmon was ready for a break from the role he had played since 2003. But, the article remained on the line to stop CBS from canceling it.

Season 18 ended with NCIS’s spoiler alert: Gibbs faked his death. The boat that he was on exploded, leaving only the character to swim off in the final seconds.

Harmon’s departure was speculated by many, but the storyline may explain Gibbs’ absence as everyone believes him to be dead.

NCIS Season 19 Cast

Harmon and the NCIS Major Case Response Team (mostly) will return full-time to handle more criminal cases.

This includes Sean Murray, Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee, and Wilmer Valderrama, Diona Reasonover, Kasie Hines, Rocky Carroll, Leon Vance, and Dr. Donald Mallard.

Harmon being out for most of the season, new cast members were in. The Good Wife’s Gary Cole plays FBI Special Agent Alden Park. Arrow’s Katrina Law is set to become a regular series character after her character, Special Agent Jessica Knight, was introduced at the conclusion of season 18.

The season 18 finale showed that Ellie Bishop will not be returning to the show. Emily Wickersham announced on social media that Ellie Bishop was leaving after eight long years. Maria Bello has also been forced to leave the show, as Jack Sloane, her character on the last season’s finale, volunteered in Afghanistan.

NCIS Episodes 2021: How Many Season 19 Episodes?

NCIS is regularly ordered 24 episodes. Seasons 17 and 18 received full episodes. However, the coronavirus epidemic reduced NCIS’s order to 20 episodes and 16 episodes respectively.

NCIS season 19 has yet to be announced. It will either return to its 24-episode format or have to cope with a shorter run.