Could ‘NCIS’ Season 20 Include Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette?
No one ever totally says goodbye to NCIS. Even those who seemingly have died, like Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), miraculously return.
Therefore, there have been two major departures in the past five years that could possibly return in Season 20. An NCIS Showrunner has shared some hints. What did they say?
NCIS Showrunner Shares How They Keep Gibbs Character Relevant
On Sunday, TVLine revealed that NCIS fans could get some updates from at least one of their previous stars of the CBS series. Showrunner Steven D. Binder shared how alluding to a former star can keep their character alive without changing how they left.
In the case of Mark Harmon’s iconic character Leroy Jethro Gibbs, it did not take a lot to conjure up his big personality. For example, in one episode, Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) could not figure out why thousands of dollars were suddenly deposited into his bank account.
This allowed the show the opportunity to talk about Gibbs. His big personality didn’t even require Mark Harmon to put in a cameo. Instead, the scholarship fund gave the audience the same sorts of good vibes.
Binder revealed that they like to do this to not mess with the storyline, but still give the viewers what they want.
“We are always thinking about ways to involve [Gibbs] in a way that doesn’t ‘rip off the scab’ and doesn’t ruin what I thought was the only fitting send-off for this guy.”
Of course, at the beginning of Season 19, Gibbs chose the peacefulness of Alaska to give him the calm he always craved. Yet, except for the opening credits, Harmon has not been back on the series, even for a short cameo.
Showrunner Wants More Abby References In NCIS
What about Pauley Perrette? The last time that NCIS fans saw Chief Forensic Scientist Abby Sciuto was over four years ago, back in 2018, during Season 19. Since then, there has been no mention of the quirky genius, and Binder wants to change that.
“I want to start doing that with Abby’s character as well. I’d like to start feeling her [presence] a little more.”
Binder, who has been showrunner since the very beginning has some regrets that they have not included any mentions of the Goth scientistic.
“I thought we were a little remiss in not [doing that sooner], but there are so many moving parts…. But she is still out there fighting the good fight and watching us, and she is a part of us and we’re a part of her.”
Does this mean that Pauley Perrette could be back?
It’s 9/2
One year ago I had a massive stoke.
Before that I lost so many beloved family and friends,
And daddy
And then
Cousin WayneYet still a survivor after this traumatic life I’ve been given so far…
And still so grateful,
Still so full of faith,
And STILL HERE! pic.twitter.com/psHokwiHij— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) September 2, 2022
Could Pauley Perrette Return To CBS Series?
One of the biggest challenges that the NCIS showrunner may have is bringing Pauley Perrette back. Now that she has recovered from a serious stroke, would she consider returning?
First, after Broke was canceled, the actress announced that she was “retired.”
However, before even one episode of the CBS comedy aired, she had tweeted a fan asking whether she would return, she replied: “NO I AM NOT COMING BACK! EVER!”
Eventually, fans learned that Mark Harmon’s dog had allegedly bit a member of the NCIS crew. This was confirmed to TVLine, who shared that CBS entertainment chief, Kelly Kahl reported that the actress: “did come to us a couple years ago with a workplace concern. We immediately investigated it and we resolved it to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Therefore, it is not clear whether the fan favorite will be returning in person, or they will invoke her expressive personality. Would you like to see her back? Let us know.
