NCIS season 22 in 2025 centers on confirmed departures and evolving team dynamics. As the series progresses, viewers see shifted responsibilities aboard the USS Seahawk and at headquarters. This timeline update clarifies which main cast members are leaving NCIS in 2025, which are staying, and what those changes mean for ongoing storylines. Below, we break down cast status, recent exits, and what to expect from the remaining agents as the procedural format continues with enduring franchise focus.
Confirmed cast departures for NCIS season 22 in 2025
For NCIS season 22 in 2025, official announcements distinguish between actors whose final episodes have aired and those whose status remains under active renewal consideration. Cast changes influence team structure, case assignments, and ensemble storytelling on the long-running naval crime franchise. The following departures are confirmed through studio press releases and showrunner statements for the 2024–2025 season. This section outlines who has definitively left, when their last episodes aired, and how the show integrated those exits into ongoing arcs.
Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs) — status as of midseason
Mark Harmon’s near full-season absence following medical leave has required producers to adjust screen time and narrative weight in season 22. Although Harmon has signaled intent to return, his reduced presence shifts Gibbs’ operational role to more oversight and mentorship. This altered dynamic allows newer characters to step into leadership moments while preserving Gibbs’ institutional influence through memory, flashbacks, and offscreen decisions. The show balances legacy characterization with current team needs in episodes filmed after his return.
David McCallum (Dr. Donald Mallard) — final regular appearances
David McCallum’s tenure as Ducky concluded with season 22, reflecting the natural arc of one of television’s longest-running medical examiners. Producers framed his departure as a planned transition that honors continuity while making room for forensic procedural updates. Ducky’s mentorship and history remain present through archival dialogue and callbacks, ensuring his influence persists within the show’s investigative framework despite his exit from active case participation.
Lauren Holly (Dr. Jenny Shepard) — status clarification
Lauren Holly’s appearances in season 22 are limited compared to earlier arcs, aligning with her reduced role in ongoing storylines. While not part of the central rotation, her character is referenced in context-sensitive moments that connect past relationships and institutional history. This restrained integration preserves narrative continuity without inflating screen time, reflecting a deliberate approach to legacy character usage.
Cast members staying through season 22 and beyond
Several core cast members remain central to NCIS season 22, anchoring the procedural format that defines the franchise. Their consistent presence supports ongoing case-of-the-week structure and longer character-driven arcs. The table below summarizes current cast status and role descriptions based on publicly available and network-communication sources.
Current main cast and their roles in 2025
| Character | Actor | Role in NCIS season 22 | Status verified by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leroy Jethro Gibbs | Mark Harmon | Senior agent and leadership figure with reduced episodic presence | CBS press release and showrunner statements |
| Dr. Donald Mallard (Ducky) | David McCallum | Retired medical examiner with legacy appearances | CBS season summary and network announcements |
| Sam Hanna | LL Cool J | Operational lead and senior field agent | CBS renewals and on-air credits |
| Gia Mallard | Katrina Law | Field agent and Ducky’s daughter, ongoing integration | Showrunner interviews and episode credits |
| Nick Torres | Wilmer Valderrama | Undercover specialist and field agent, stable presence | CBS season overview and cast listings |
| Jessica Knight | Katrina Law | NCIS supervisory role, expanded procedural authority | Official episode credits and press materials |
Notable transition arcs and their narrative impact
Departures in NCIS season 22 create space for evolved team structures while respecting legacy character histories. Storylines address reduced command presence, shifting field responsibilities, and mentorship transitions that preserve institutional memory. Writers integrate exits through measured pacing, using offscreen decisions and archival references to maintain continuity. These transitions avoid narrative disruption by redistributing case leadership among remaining field agents and emphasizing procedural resilience.
What these changes mean for the show’s dynamic
The departure of long-tenured characters in NCIS season 22 shifts group dynamics without dismantling the ensemble identity. Less hierarchical decision-making emerges as field agents assume broader leadership during missions. The procedural framework remains intact, with steady case resolution tempo and recurring emphasis on teamwork. Viewer familiarity is maintained through callbacks, established relationship references, and consistent tone, ensuring continuity despite roster adjustments.
Frequently asked questions about NCIS cast changes in 2025
Is Gibbs leaving NCIS in 2025?
Mark Harmon remains a series regular through season 22, though his on-screen time is reduced due to scheduling and health considerations. His character continues to influence cases thematically and narratively, preserving the figure’s enduring presence within the NCIS universe.
Did Ducky retire or die in season 22?
David McCallum’s departure is framed as a planned retirement, with Ducky exiting offscreen between episodes. The show incorporates legacy elements through mentions and archival material, honoring the character without extending regular screen involvement.
Which actors are new to NCIS season 22?
While the core ensemble remains established, some recurring specialists and technical roles appear more prominently. The focus stays on team cohesion, with narrative emphasis on field execution and procedural accuracy rather than frequent newcomer introductions.
Will the show’s format change with fewer main characters?
NCIS maintains its hybrid structure of case-of-the-week investigations and serialized character arcs. Streamlined team size can concentrate storytelling, but the balance of action, procedural detail, and interpersonal dynamics remains consistent with franchise norms.
Key cast changes at a glance
The following comparison summarizes the most relevant status distinctions for NCIS season 22 in 2025, helping viewers quickly understand who has left, who is new, and who remains a steady presence.
| Status | Character / Actor | Arc description for season 22 |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced presence | Gibbs (Mark Harmon) | Limited episodes; mentorship and oversight |
| Retired/limited appearances | Ducky (David McCallum) | Legacy references; offscreen retirement |
| Stable regular | Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) | Field lead; consistent case involvement |
| New supervisory role | Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) | Elevated authority and procedural ownership |
| Integrated continuation | Gia Mallard (Katrina Law) | Active field agent; family storyline closure |
| Consistent undercover specialist | Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) | Ongoing field operations and team reliance |
As NCIS season 22 unfolds, viewers can expect a streamlined yet familiar ensemble committed to the show’s investigative roots. Departures are thoughtfully woven into ongoing narratives, preserving institutional history while allowing the team to evolve. Staying informed through official channels and episode reviews helps fans follow these transitions with clarity and context.