Cote de Pablo left NCIS in 2013 due to dissatisfaction with the character direction, citing political issues and subpar scripts. She returned for guest appearances in seasons 16 and 17, clarifying that her departure wasn’t due to personal readiness or fatigue.
Michael Weatherly’s potential return as Anthony DiNozzo has been teased following the cancellation of “Bull,” with executive producer Stephen D. Binder expressing openness to the idea.
Mark Harmon, who left the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs after 20 years, could return, considering his character wasn’t killed off. His real-life son, Sean Harmon, played a young Gibbs in seven episodes.
In an alternate scenario, Harrison Ford was initially considered for Gibbs but chose other projects, allowing Mark Harmon to secure the iconic role. Ford’s name is dropped in the pilot episode as a nod to the actor.