NCIS fans were thrown for a loop when series lead Mark Harmon aka Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs announced his departure from the show in season 19, especially as we build up to another major crossover event.
However, the show isn't shying away from making references to the iconic role, having dropped hints in the past, as recently as the Fall finale installment.
VIDEO: NCIS star Mark Harmon discusses winning Sexiest Man Alive award
The episode featured Sean Murray's character Timothy McGee reviving the storyline of his long-running hobby as a writer.
He made a reference to the central character of his story, Agent Tibbs, clearly based off his boss, mentioning also that Gibbs was currently in Alaska.
The character's wife Delilah McGee, who also appeared in the episode, even confirmed this, saying: "(You've) barely written a word since Gibbs left for Alaska. Gibbs is not what makes you great."
RELATED: Mark Harmon's big decision that impacted his career as an actor
TRENDING NOW: Amy Robach's celebration with T.J. Holmes and estranged husband that went unnoticed
Jessica Knight, played by Katrina Law, got her first introduction to the joke, quipping: "Your lead character's name is Special Agent Tibbs?"
Special Agent Gibbs was referenced on the show's latest episode
Timothy responded: "Gibbs and Tibbs are wildly different people," before also adding: "Novel's going great, I'm just having some trouble getting started."
However, Sean made another final reference to the fate of Harmon's Gibbs by saying: "LJ Tibbs is retired, remember? So I have a new main character I think fans will love just as much as I do."
MORE: NCIS star Vanessa Lachey in tears over epic crossover episode
ALSO POPULAR: Gwen Stefani on baby number four: everything the singer has said
Fans at the time were definitely enthusiastic about the nod to the long-running lead and hoped for Mark's return to the Agent Gibbs mantle.
"@SeanHMurray just [made] a reference back to Gibbs/McGee goodbye scene ‘Great Wide Open’ still hits my heart," one fan commented.
© Photo: Getty ImagesMark stepped away from NCIS in season 19
Another said: "I know that feeling McGee. We all still miss Gibbs," while a third also said: "Delilah knows that her husband is frustrated since Gibbs stayed in Alaska. #NCIS." While he hasn't made a comeback since then, hope still lives among the fandom.
The series' Fall finale aired on 5 December and went on break for the month, having returned to screens in the new year on 2 January, 2023 and will air its epic crossover episode.
Read more HELLO! US stories here
Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
