How NCIS Thrived After Mark Harmon’s Exit: Gary Cole Explains the Smooth Transition
Mark Harmon’s departure from NCIS could have marked the end of the iconic show, but three seasons later, it remains a hit—a success largely credited to how seamlessly the writers transitioned from Leroy Jethro Gibbs to Alden Parker.
Gary Cole, who portrays Agent Parker, shed light on the careful introduction of his character, avoiding a jarring change for fans.
“Mark wanted to leave, and when that came up, they weren’t sure what to do,” Cole shared on the Off Duty podcast with Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. “There was talk of just ending it, but then he agreed to start Season 19 and do four episodes to ease the transition.”
Instead of abruptly replacing Gibbs, Parker was integrated gradually, working with the team on shared cases. “Rather than a sudden knock on the door—‘Hi, I’m the new guy’—we had episodes where Gibbs and Parker collaborated, sometimes clashing,” Cole explained.
Unlike Gibbs, Parker isn’t a one-for-one replacement. Executive producer Mark Horowitz described him as “the crazy uncle” rather than “the stern father.” Cole embraced this dynamic, treating Parker as a leader who only exercises authority when needed, focusing instead on building rapport with the team.
The approach has worked. Now in its 22nd season, NCIS remains a fan favorite. Though CBS hasn’t confirmed a Season 23 renewal, it’s unlikely the series will end without a major farewell, per Screen Rant.
Catch NCIS Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
