With NCIS running for over two decades, it’s natural that cast members have come and gone. After Mark Harmon, the show’s lead and the face of NCIS, exited in Season 19, the series lost its original core members one by one. David McCallum, who portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, was the final original cast member. Following his passing in 2023, NCIS honored both the actor and the beloved character with a touching tribute in Season 21. Now, Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee is the longest-tenured character in the main cast, but interestingly, one actor has been part of the NCIS universe since its very beginning: Joe Spano, who plays FBI Agent Tobias Fornell.
Fornell made his debut in the NCIS series premiere, introduced as a rival to Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon). Their interactions started with competitive tension but evolved into one of the show’s most cherished friendships. Fornell never became a full-time main character, but he appeared in at least one episode every season except for Seasons 17 and 22 (so far). Fans enjoyed watching the former rivals gradually grow closer, and Spano’s character became so central to the series that he was featured in NCIS‘s 200th episode and the franchise’s 1000th episode—a nod to his significance.
However, with Gibbs gone and Gary Cole’s Alden Parker now leading the team, Fornell’s appearances have declined. Gibbs and Fornell had a unique chemistry that drew fans in, and without that dynamic, the writers have minimized Fornell’s role. In light of this shift, the latest season of NCIS has subtly offered a farewell to Fornell’s character, signaling the end of an era.
