NCIS at 500 Episodes: Showrunner on Longevity, Cast Changes & Future

Washington D.C. — “NCIS” will broadcast its 500th episode Tuesday night, placing the procedural drama in rarefied company among scripted prime-time television series, alongside “Gunsmoke,” “Lassie,” and several long-running animated programs, according to reporting from Variety.

The milestone comes as a surprise to many in the television industry, given the shifting media landscape and the challenges facing traditional broadcast networks. Executive producer Steven D. Binder, who joined the show in season 3 and became sole showrunner in 2021, acknowledged the unexpected longevity of the series.

“I know this sounds like hubris,” Binder told Variety, “but if the sun comes up every day for 20 years, you just feel like there’s a good chance it’s gonna come up tomorrow! And that’s sort of how I feel about the show. It’s not even an adjudication of quality or judgment or how awesome our numbers are or how much people love it. It’s just, literally, there has always been ‘NCIS,’ it feels like there’s always going to be ‘NCIS,’ and I don’t see any reason why that’s gonna change. Other than the utter and complete total collapse of the network broadcast business model. Other than that.”

The show has navigated significant cast changes over its 23 seasons. Mark Harmon, a central figure for many years, departed in 2021, with Gary Cole stepping into the lead role. Currently, only Sean McGee remains from the original cast, with Brian Dietzen and Rocky Carroll too having been with the series since the early 2000s. Despite this turnover, “NCIS” continues to maintain a loyal audience, remaining a top 10 series.

Binder reflected on the challenges of replacing Harmon, describing a deliberate strategy to introduce Cole’s character, Alden Parker, as an antagonist before gradually building audience acceptance. “We modeled it after the ‘Fugitive’ model,” he explained. “The audience goes on a journey with Parker and he starts to realize that Gibbs is actually a righteous man…That was a sort of magical sleight of hand, I think, that helped the audience let head of Gibbs and then also accept this new guy.”

The show’s ability to weather cast departures, including those of Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) in 2018, Cote de Pablo (Ziva David) in 2013, and Michael Weatherly (Anthony DiNozzo) in 2016, has become a hallmark of its success. Binder noted that each exit initially sparked concern among viewers, but the show consistently found ways to integrate new characters and maintain its core dynamic.

“We always have been an ensemble show,” Binder said. “As long as there’s an interaction, and a family-like interaction, I think the fans are enjoying watching it.”

The 500th episode promises “great twists and surprises” and a reminder of “how much they care about ‘NCIS’” and its characters, according to Binder. He acknowledged the show’s unusual longevity, noting that it has surpassed many milestones but remains aware of the changing television landscape.

Binder also discussed the show’s commitment to maintaining a consistent tone and format, even as it introduces new storylines and characters. He pointed to the show’s high “mortality rate” – the frequent deaths of characters – as a running joke, while also acknowledging the real-world consultation with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to ensure accuracy.

“The real NCIS is a big fan of that,” Binder said. “We make them look very good.”

Looking ahead, Binder expressed confidence in the show’s continued success, but also acknowledged the potential challenges facing the broadcast television model. He indicated his own future with the show is tied to the well-being of his family, and a desire for a better work-life balance.

“I’ll just go until I die, I guess,” Binder said, when asked about his potential retirement. “As long as the model is intact, and as long as we don’t have a mass exodus of actors in one year, I think the show keeps going. I really don’t.”