NCIS killed off one of its tenured characters after 18 years, delivering a gut punch to longtime viewers.
*Warning: Major spoilers from NCIS season 23, episode 13, ‘All Good Things,’ to follow*
The long-running police procedural, about a group of special agents who investigate crimes involving U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel, celebrated its 500th episode Tuesday.
However, the episode did not feel like much of a celebration to most fans, as it ended with a devastating farewell to beloved character Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll).
In the latest installment, the NCIS team is left reeling when their agency is shut down by the Department of Defense. In an attempt to restore his team to its former glory, Vance leads them as they race to prove the innocence of a petty officer accused of murder. After they successfully clear his name, Vance is fatally shot by a corrupt agent. As he crosses over, he is met by a vision of a young Ducky Mallard, the coroner who died in season 21 following the real-life death of actor David McCallum in 2023 at 90.
Vance’s tragic demise left viewers stunned, with one posting on X: “I did not see that coming.”
“A shocker! Nicely done. I cried though!” a second wrote.
“Could deal with him leaving easier than dying. Sucks. Won’t be same without Vance. This is worse than Gibbs,” a third said, referencing original cast member Mark Harmon’s exit in season 19, also after an 18-year run.
“Tonight’s episode really sucked. Leon was a big part of show since Jenny left,” a fourth lamented. “Way to ruin my night CBS.”
“Heartbreaking,” another said, “but very well done. Glad Mr. Carroll is staying on to direct.”
Carroll, 62, first joined NCIS back in season five (2008) and remained a series regular up until Tuesday’s episode. Of the 392 episodes he’s starred in, he’s directed 28, and has confirmed to Variety that despite his character’s death, he has every intention of continuing his work behind the scenes.
Addressing Vance’s shocking death, the actor revealed to the publication that he had known about it since November.
“I’ve been able to kind of come full circle with it. And I really think it’s a great episode,” Carroll said. “I’m not just saying this to be a team player, but if you’ve gotta send a character off, what a way to go. It really is exactly what our executive producer, Steven D. Binder, said. He wanted to write not only a great episode, but a real love letter to the character that really summarized his journey and his impact on the show, and I think we achieved that.”
Reflecting on his time on the show, Carroll continued: “For selfish reasons, I have to remind people: I’ve been a character on this series for 18 years. Most Hollywood careers don’t last 18 years. So to be able to play one character on one of the most popular shows in the world for 18 seasons, that’s the equivalent of living to be 105.”
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