Michael Weatherly Reflects on Why Mark Harmon Didn’t Share the NCIS Crew’s Fun Vibe
Mark Harmon’s unexpected departure from NCIS shocked fans and even his castmates. Michael Weatherly, who starred alongside Harmon for years, admitted he struggled to understand why Harmon didn’t seem to enjoy the same camaraderie as the rest of the team. Despite working closely, the two never developed a deep connection, leaving many to wonder what drove Harmon’s decision to step away from the long-running series.
Why Did Mark Harmon Leave NCIS?
After dedicating nearly two decades to the show as its star and executive producer, Harmon’s exit left a void. While many believed he would stay indefinitely, the veteran actor revealed that he was simply exhausted from the intense demands of the series.
Speaking candidly on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Harmon shared:
“I think for the longest time, I was just tired. Part of taking the job [involved] being home, with a young family, not traveling so much doing movies. The first day, we worked 22 hours. So I thought, ‘That’s not exactly what I thought this was going to be.’ But we had a lot of days like that in the first four years.”
The grind, especially in the show’s early years, took its toll on Harmon. While his commitment helped NCIS achieve its iconic status, he realized he needed a change. Ready to spend more time with his family and seek new creative challenges, Harmon stepped back after 18 seasons of playing Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
While his departure marked the end of an era, Harmon left on his terms, proving that even legends need to hit refresh.
