It's been over twenty years since the MCRT first rolled out of the Navy Yard in that orange Dodge Charger, and frankly, the revolving door at CBS hasn't stopped spinning since. If you're wondering who is leaving NCIS, you aren't alone. Every time a contract negotiation leaks or a character looks a little too long at a "sunset" shot, the fandom has a collective heart attack. It makes sense. We’ve already survived the departures of Gibbs, DiNozzo, Ziva, and Abby. At this point, the show is basically a Ship of Theseus—if you replace every single board, is it still the same boat?
The short answer for the current 2025-2026 season is that the "core" team is mostly holding steady, but there are some massive caveats involving some of our favorite veterans. Shows this old get expensive. When a series hits Season 22 or 23, the budget starts to buckle under the weight of long-term actor salaries. That’s usually when the "creative choice" to write someone out happens.
The Katrina Law Rumors and That Season 21 Cliffhanger
Let’s talk about Jessica Knight. Honestly, the Season 21 finale "Reef" felt like a gut punch. When Knight accepted the job as the Chief Training Officer for REACT, it wasn't just a plot point; it was a massive flashing sign that Katrina Law might be headed for the exit.
For a few months, nobody knew if she was coming back. Usually, when an actor is "leaving" in the world of procedural TV, the showrunners play it close to the vest to keep the ratings up for the premiere. Showrunner Steven D. Binder even teased that they like to "push the envelope" with these transitions. However, as we’ve seen in the recent episodes, Knight is still very much in the mix, though her role has shifted. She didn't leave the show entirely, but the way she exists on the team has changed.
This is a classic NCIS move. They did it with Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer) years ago, slowly moving him from a bit player to the heart of the show. With Law, it seems the writers realized they couldn't afford to lose her energy, especially after the chemistry she built with Palmer. If she were to leave now, the "Knight in Shining Armor" arc would feel incredibly unfinished.
Why Sean Murray Isn't Going Anywhere (Probably)
Timothy McGee is the glue. He is the last remaining link to the original Season 1 era, aside from Rocky Carroll and the occasional guest spot. Whenever the question of who is leaving NCIS pops up on Reddit or Twitter, Murray's name is usually the one people are most terrified to see.
But here is the reality: Sean Murray is NCIS.
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He’s talked openly about how he still enjoys the grind. He’s also the stepson of the show’s creator, Donald P. Bellisario. While that doesn't guarantee a job forever, it certainly helps with the show's DNA. The rumors of his departure usually stem from fans misinterpreting "McGee-centric" episodes. In the world of TV writing, if a character gets a lot of backstory suddenly, it either means they are being promoted or they are being killed off. With McGee, it’s almost always about him stepping further into that "senior" leadership role that Gibbs once held. He’s the veteran now. It would take a massive salary dispute or a personal desire to retire for Murray to walk away at this stage.
The "Tony and Ziva" Factor: Are They Leaving the Main Show?
This is where things get a bit confusing for the casual viewer. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are back, but not in the way most people think. They aren't returning to the main "mothership" show in DC just to leave again. Instead, they’ve branched off into NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
For those asking who is leaving the main NCIS cast to join them, the answer is... mostly nobody. The spinoff is being filmed in Europe (Budapest, specifically) and follows a completely different narrative structure. It’s more of an international thriller than a "crime of the week" procedural. While we might see a cameo from Gary Cole (Alden Parker) or Brian Dietzen, the main cast of the flagship show is staying put in the Navy Yard. This expansion actually helps keep the main show alive because it proves the brand is still a juggernaut for Paramount+.
Wilmer Valderrama and the "Seven Year Itch"
Nick Torres has been through the ringer. Since joining in Season 14, Valderrama has become a cornerstone of the post-Gibbs era. But in Hollywood, seven years is a long time. Valderrama has been very busy with other projects, including the high-profile Zorro reboot for Disney.
There was a lot of chatter during the production of Season 22 that Valderrama might be looking for an exit strategy. He’s an actor who likes to stay busy, and the 22-episode-per-year schedule of a network procedural is punishing. It’s a "golden handcuffs" situation—the pay is incredible, but you have no time for movies or other creative ventures. While he hasn't officially announced he's leaving, he is the cast member most likely to follow the "Sloane" or "Bishop" path: a mid-season exit that leaves the door open for a return later.
The Budget Reality: Why People "Leave" Without Wanting To
Sometimes, the person leaving NCIS isn't an actor who wants to move on. Sometimes, it's a budget line item. We saw this happen across the entire CBS lineup last year, specifically with the Bob Hearts Abishola and Blue Bloods situations.
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Network TV is in a weird spot. Linear ratings are down, and streaming residuals are a battleground. To keep a show like NCIS on the air, the studio often asks the cast to take "recurring" status instead of "series regular" status. This means they appear in fewer episodes (maybe 13 out of 22) to save money.
If you notice a character "going on a special assignment" for three weeks, that's usually why. They aren't leaving; they’re just being furloughed by the accountants. David McCallum’s passing (Ducky) was the only recent permanent departure that wasn't dictated by contracts or creative shifts, and the show handled that with a level of grace we rarely see on TV.
The Current 2025-2026 Roster Status
To keep it simple, here is the current "threat level" for departures among the main cast:
- Gary Cole (Alden Parker): Stable. He’s found his groove and the writers love his "not-Gibbs" vibe. He seems happy to lead the ship.
- Sean Murray (Timothy McGee): Very Stable. He’ll be there until the lights go out.
- Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer): Stable. He has also become a writer for the show, which gives him more reason to stay.
- Diona Reasonover (Kasie Hines): Stable. She fills a vital niche as the tech/forensics lead.
- Katrina Law (Jessica Knight): Uncertain but leaning toward staying. The REACT storyline could still pull her away, but she's currently active.
- Wilmer Valderrama (Nick Torres): At Risk. Keep an eye on his outside projects; they are the biggest indicator of his future on the show.
- Rocky Carroll (Leon Vance): Stable. He often directs episodes, making him indispensable to the production.
What Most People Get Wrong About NCIS Departures
The biggest misconception is that when someone leaves, the show is "ending." People have been saying NCIS is dead since Sasha Alexander (Kate Todd) left in Season 2. They said it when Michael Weatherly left. They screamed it from the rooftops when Mark Harmon finally hung up the basement tools.
The truth is, NCIS is more like a sports team than a drama. Players get traded, they retire, or they go to other leagues, but the jersey stays the same. The "brand" of NCIS—the humor, the "head slaps," the "Rule 39"—is what people tune in for.
Honestly, the show is currently in a "rebuilding" phase that has actually worked. Alden Parker brought a lighter, more collaborative energy that saved the series from becoming a parody of itself. If anyone else leaves this season, it will likely be a "soft exit" where they remain in the universe, ready for a crossover event.
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Navigating the Rumor Mill
If you see a headline that says "SEAN MURRAY SAYS GOODBYE," click with caution. These are often "clickbait" sites that take a quote about him being "thankful for the journey" and twist it to sound like a resignation.
The best way to track who is actually leaving is to look at the "upfronts" in May. That’s when CBS announces its schedule and which actors have officially signed on for the following year. Until then, everything is just speculation and contract maneuvering.
What to do next to stay informed:
First, check the official CBS press site or trade publications like Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. They don't deal in rumors; they deal in signed contracts. Second, watch the credits. If an actor’s name moves from "Starring" to "Special Guest Star," they are on their way out. Finally, pay attention to the directors. Actors like Brian Dietzen and Rocky Carroll who direct episodes are usually "lifers" who have a deeper investment in the show staying on the air.
The most actionable thing you can do is stop worrying about the "end." NCIS has survived more cast changes than almost any show in history. Even if your favorite character leaves, the Navy Yard will still be there, the coffee will still be hot, and there will always be another body in the elevator.