NCIS has remained strong over the last two decades and continues to do so as the series prepares to head into its 24th season on the 2026 TV schedule. Even with Mark Harmon’s exit believed to be the “death knell” of NCIS, it’s definitely managed to hold its own. Harmon had joined NCIS as Leroy Jethro Gibbs when it was still just a JAG backdoor pilot, and when it came time to cast the character, a co-creator’s wife made a spot-on prediction about Harmon.
When they were casting for NCIS, plenty of A-listers were being tossed around for the role of Gibbs, such as Harrison Ford. Not surprisingly, Harmon was on the short list for potential actors to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs that CBS had sent out. What is surprising is that one particular person had a feeling that if Harmon got the role, NCIS would go far. Co-creator Don McGill shared on the NCIS: Partners & Probies podcast that his wife actually predicted the show’s success:
