After more than 20 years on the air, NCIS has officially said goodbye to its final original cast connection. As the beloved CBS crime drama continues to evolve, another familiar face from the show’s early days has quietly exited the screen.
Following the passing of David McCallumโwho portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallardโin 2023, the last remaining character from the series’ pilot was FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell, played by Joe Spano. Fornell, a fan favorite and longtime friend of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), made his most recent appearance during the show’s milestone 1000th episode. However, his absence from recent episodesโespecially โSticks and Stones,โ which introduced new FBI Deputy Director Wayne Sweeney (Erik Passoja)โhints that Fornellโs storyline may have come to a quiet conclusion.
With Fornell likely retired from the narrative, Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), who joined the team in season one, now stands as the longest-tenured active cast member. Although the NCIS roster has seen countless changes over the years, the series continues to endure, driven by fresh faces and new stories that keep fans tuning in season after season.
Meanwhile, the NCIS universe is far from slowing down. A new spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, is in the works for Paramount+, reuniting original stars Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. The series will follow Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they navigate lifeโand dangerโtogether in Europe after their off-screen reunion.
As NCIS moves into its 22nd season, longtime fans can still look forward to surprises, legacy characters in new roles, and the continued expansion of a franchise that has become a staple of network television.
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