Mark Harmon Battles to Save ‘NCIS’—But Time May Be Running Out!

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Once a fan favorite, NCIS has taken a steep dive in the ratings — and could even face cancellation. Now, reports claim original star Mark Harmon is plotting a major return to give the show a much-needed boost. But after all these years, some wonder: is it worth it?

The naval crime drama, which first hit screens in 2003, dominated TV for years — especially during its peak run from 2009 to 2014, when it was the top-rated scripted series for five straight seasons. In 2012–2013, it even outperformed American Idol and NBC Sunday Night Football.

But without beloved original cast members like quirky Pauley Perrette, Michael Weatherly, and Harmon’s own Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the series has been struggling. Many fans feel the replacements are stuck in a tired formula, and the magic just isn’t there anymore.

These days, NCIS doesn’t even crack the top 10. In a last-ditch effort to revive interest, producers have moved it from Mondays at 9 p.m. to Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

For Harmon, letting go isn’t easy. Before NCIS, the former UCLA football star had a modest Hollywood career — dabbling in romantic comedies and landing a notable role alongside Sean Connery and Meg Ryan in 1988’s The Presidio. But it was NCIS that turned him into a household name — and he may be ready to step back in to save it once again.

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