After a remarkable 19 seasons, “NCIS” bid farewell to its primary character, NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, in October 2021. Gibbs chose to stay in Alaska, finding peace after the tragic loss of his family.

The show has navigated the departure of beloved characters over the years, including Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), and Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette). According to ScreenRant, the show’s ratings experienced declines after each departure, a trend seen in other shows like “The Office” and “The Walking Dead,” which eventually led to their cancellations.

In an interesting turn, Michael Weatherly, who portrayed the charismatic NCIS special agent Tony DiNozzo for 13 seasons, has hinted at a potential return to “NCIS.” Weatherly left the show to lead “Bull” but has expressed openness to revisiting his iconic character. Recent social media posts featuring images reminiscent of his DiNozzo days have sparked speculation among fans about a possible comeback.

Weatherly left “NCIS” after Season 13, with his character Tony DiNozzo leaving to be with his daughter after learning of Ziva David’s supposed death. Cote de Pablo, who played Ziva, departed in 2016, stating she wouldn’t continue if the character wasn’t treated with the respect she deserved.

In recent statements, Weatherly acknowledged that Tony DiNozzo would always live on in the hearts and minds of viewers, expressing openness to potential comebacks. As of now, Weatherly is also departing his role as Dr. Jason Bull in “Bull” after six seasons, announcing his decision to pursue new creative challenges and bring the character’s story to a close.

Fans remain intrigued by the possibility of Michael Weatherly’s return to “NCIS,” and the actor’s willingness to explore new opportunities suggests exciting ventures ahead in his career.