Does Mark Harmon’s Wife Pam Dawber Want Him To Leave ‘NCIS’ After Season 17?
With Season 16 of NCIS officially over, the attention has now turned to Mark Harmon’s future on the show. Harmon fought exit rumors all season long, and, although he is under contract for at least once more season, some fans are convinced that the actor is ready to walk away from the hit crime procedural. But what does Harmon’s wife, Pam Dawber, feel about his future on NCIS?
Is Dawber pressuring Mark Harmon to leave ‘NCIS’?
Inside sources claim that Harmon’s packed schedule has put a lot of strain on his marriage. Apart from playing Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the show, Harmon serves an executive producer for NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans. He is also producing a brand new series on CBS, which has added even more to his plate. With Harmon working long hours on set, sources say that Dawber feels like he is neglecting his family.
“Pam would love it if Mark retired,” an insider dished.
Despite Dawber’s growing concerns, Harmon is not looking to quit any of his jobs. According to Pop Culture, Mark Harmon loves going into work every day and likes receiving a steady paycheck from CBS. This is one reason why Harmon agreed to help produce another series for the network.
He also signed a contract extension earlier this year and is fully expected to reprise his role as Gibbs in Season 17, which will start production in a few months. Although the exit rumors have been heating up in recent weeks, it sounds like Harmon is not going anywhere.
Mark Harmon opens up about his marriage
In a recent interview, the NCIS star talked about his longtime marriage to Dawber. The two have been together for 31 years and Harmon praised his wife for always being very supportive of his career. In fact, he recalled a time when she told him to back out of a part in the 1987 film, Summer School. Harmon ultimately went against his wife’s advice and appeared in the movie. While Dawber did not agree with his choice, Harmon believes their differences are what makes them a good couple.
Dawber has not commented on the reports surrounding Mark Harmon’s future on NCIS. Inside sources claim that Dawber is supportive of Harmon’s career in Hollywood and will continue to cheer him on for however long it lasts.
Sources also say that Mark Harmon’s busy schedule has not caused any problems in their marriage, contradicting the earlier reports.
CBS renews ‘NCIS’ for Season 17
Several months ago, CBS confirmed that it had purchased another season of NCIS. The early renewal did not come as a surprise. After 16 seasons on the air, NCIS continues to be one of the highest rated shows on television.
Although several main cast members have left in recent years, producers have successfully kept the storylines fresh enough to draw millions of viewers each week. Unless the ratings change in the coming season, there is reason to believe that the show has a few more years left in the tank.
Shortly after the renewal announcement, Harmon and several of his NCIS co-stars took to Twitter to thank fans for their continued support. Wilmer Valderrama, Mark Harmon, Emily Wickersham, and Sean Murray appeared together in the clip with a heartfelt message to their supporters. All four members of the cast appeared thrilled about starting a new season and are expected to reprise their respective roles.
Looking ahead to Season 17
While Harmon is going to return for one more season, his future beyond that remains uncertain. In the Season 16 finale, Ziva (Cote de Pablo) made a surprise appearance to warn Gibbs that he is in serious trouble. The warning has sparked rumors that Gibbs might retire after Season 17, though nothing official has been confirmed.
Gibbs has been a part of the show since the very beginning and is one of the few original cast members remaining. The only other original cast member is Murray, who plays the part of Timothy McGee. Like Mark Harmon, Murray has also been the subject of exit talk in recent seasons.
CBS has not announced when Season 17 of NCIS will premiere.
