The character’s controversial past was probably one of the reasons.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ story may be getting a big update soon as NCIS continues to expand its universe with yet another spinoff, but Gibbs has been absent from the original show for quite some time.
Gibbs said a definitive goodbye to his team in season 19, deciding it was time for a long-awaited retirement in Alaska. His position was eventually taken over by former FBI agent Alden Parker. Although Parker has been with the team for several seasons without significant criticism, some fans still question Gibbs’ decision to pass the torch to Parker when there was another excellent candidate.
A Reddit thread from a few months ago explored a perspective not widely discussed. One user suggested that NCIS veteran Tobias Fornell was a much better fit for Gibbs’ position than Alden Parker. Apart from being Gibbs’ good friend (though nepotism would surely be criticized), Fornell has been around since season 1, even if he didn’t appear frequently.
The Reddit user highlighted Fornell’s advantages, including fan love, his experience as a federal agent, his ability to “handle politicians,” his emotional stability, and the fact that he’s an original character, unlike newcomer Alden Parker.
However, this idea faced significant pushback in the comments. Many pointed to Fornell’s troubled past as an FBI agent who was fired for lying, making it unlikely that any government agency would hire him. Additionally, some fans noted that Joe Spano, Fornell’s actor, is older than his character, and might not want a role requiring his presence in nearly every episode.
Other users defended Gary Cole’s Alden Parker, asserting that he’s a better fit for the role, and there’s no chance anyone else will replace him. It seems Parker has a long future in NCIS, despite his recent injury in season 21.