When should NCIS end? Mark Harmon has weighed in with his thoughts. Now in its sixteenth season, NCIS is showing no signs of slowing down. But when does Harmon believe it should come to a stop? The star revealed the signal it will be time for the crime drama to end, saying:
I've always thought if there's ever a time where the writers are walking into the room and going ‘I don’t know what to do,’ then I think we all have to look at each other and call it a day. But we’re not there yet.
In other words, when the writers cannot come up with anymore new ideas. NCIS may end someday, but that day is nowhere in sight, according to what Mark Harmon told People. If the writers eventually run out of material, they will have to figure it out then.
Another reason to end the show might be if NCIS drops in the ratings. That, too, doesn't seem to be the case anytime soon. As Mark Harmon noted, the show is growing rather than losing viewers:
We're doing better ratings this year than last, which for a show of this age is sort of remarkable.
Mark Harmon has starred on NCIS ever since it began and he does not seem bored. Sometimes actors will be ready to move on after six seasons, and Harmon is in no hurry after sixteen. If it is not broke, there is no need to fix it. Also, rumors that Harmon would be leaving due to health problems have already been shot down. So, for now, it sounds like smooth sailing ahead.
Mark Harmon has starred on the series since Day 1. NCIS kicked off back in 2003 and has been a ratings juggernaut for CBS ever since. The show has spawned a multitude of spinoffs and is itself one.
It is the spinoff of another long-running series – JAG. NCIS has managed to outlast the run of its predecessor series. JAG lasted for ten seasons. NCIS has easily eclipsed it by 16 seasons and counting.
The crime procedural has yet to be officially renewed for Season 17. However, it seems likely it will be. Sixteen seasons in and NCIS is still going strong.
Fans apparently agree, as the show's ratings recently saw another boost. That was not entirely unexpected given the huge bombshell NCIS dropped regarding fan-favorite character Ziva. The surprising reveal earned a robust online reaction among fans, who are still heavily invested in the fate of their favorite characters.
Whether Cote De Pablo will return remains a mystery. NCIS cast member Sean Murray weighed in with what insight he could share. Fans of the CBS drama will have to wait and see what happens. In the meantime, they can enjoy the characters already on-screen. Among them is Murray’s McGee.
NCIS finally gave McGee a backstory episode in Season 16. So there are still lots of fresh stories being told. For now, fans can rest easy. Mark Harmon and NCIS do not appear to be going anywhere.
Catch Mark Harmon and the rest of his co-stars in new episodes of NCIS when they air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. The crime procedural is among many airing new this midseason.
