After more than two decades on the air, NCIS has officially said goodbye to its final original cast member. The long-running CBS series continues to evolve, and with its most recent season, another key figure from the early days has quietly exited.
Following the passing of David McCallum (Ducky Mallard) in 2023, the last remaining link to the showโs very first episode was the recurring character Tobias Fornell, played by Joe Spano. Fornell โ a beloved FBI agent and longtime ally of Gibbs (Mark Harmon) โ made his final appearance during the seriesโ landmark 1000th episode earlier this year. His absence from subsequent episodes โ particularly โSticks and Stones,โ which introduced a new FBI figure, Deputy Director Wayne Sweeney (Erik Passoja) โ strongly suggests that Fornellโs journey on NCIS has come to an end.
Currently, Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) holds the title of the longest-running active cast member, having joined early in Season 1. While NCIS has undergone multiple cast changes over the years, a fresh generation of characters continues to carry the legacy forward, keeping the iconic crime drama thriving after 22 seasons.
Meanwhile, the NCIS universe is set to expand once again. A new spinoff, NCIS: Tony and Ziva, is currently in development, reuniting original stars Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. The new series will follow Tony DiNozzo and Ziva Davidโs life together after their off-screen reunion in Paris, reigniting the beloved chemistry that once captivated fans.
As the main series enters a bold new chapter, loyal viewers can look forward to seeing familiar faces return โ even if in new and unexpected ways.
