NCIS Mark Harmon 'almost quit' the show over Leroy Gibbs' name change

Mark Harmon, a veteran actor with a successful career since the early '70s and an impressive 19-year run on NCIS, is now longer a part of the hit CBS drama.

The actor is busy promoting his new book, Ghosts of Honolulu.

While fans eagerly await his potential return to NCIS, Mark has disclosed some intriguing facts about his initial days on the series.

He admitted that he nearly turned down the role of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, initially unimpressed by the script.

What eventually drew his attention was the character's distinct name.

Read more: NCIS boss exposes real reason Mark Harmon landed ‘challenging’ Gibbs role

During an interview with Fox News, Mark reflected on his initial encounter with NCIS. At that time, he was considering various scripts, but it was the unique name of the lead character on NCIS that really stood out to him.

However, he nearly turned down the role when the producers planned to rename his character.

"I was reading a lot of scripts, and I read this one, and the name Leroy Jethro Gibbs hit me," Mark recalled.

"And there was a moment there where in that couple of days I think it changed to Bob Robinson or something. And I right away called up and said, 'The name has got to change back.'

"And then someone said, 'You can't play a guy named Leroy Jethro Gibbs.' I said, 'Why not?'"

Mark shared that two decades ago, when he first encountered the concept of NCIS, based on the Naval Criminal Investigative Services, it was unfamiliar to him.

His perspective shifted once he met Leon Carroll Jr, a former NCIS Special Agent, and advisor for the show.

"I immediately met Leon. I've been with him for 20 years, every day on the show," Mark revealed.

"There was never an interrogation scene on that show that I didn't talk to him about. I had so much respect for the job this man did in the real world, the real NCIS. And we always talked about that."

While Mark is currently focused on promoting his new book, there's a buzz about him possibly returning to NCIS.

Earlier in the year, executive producer Steven D Binder hinted in a TV Insider interview that Mark's character might reappear. Mark exited the show in 2021.

"I don't see how we don't see him one more time at some point," Binder explained. "Gibbs has, in my mind, advanced to a higher plane of existence for now.

"We left him smiling on a river happy, and that's the image I want people to have until we're really ready to blow that out of the water or truly embrace it in some way."

Fans are undoubtedly eager to see Mark reprise his role and bring his character back to the screen.

NCIS season 21 premieres February 12, 2024 on CBS.