‘NCIS’: When Does the Season 18 Finale Air?
The cast and crew of NCIS are currently filming the season 18 finale, and fans better get ready. Between the current storylines and the social media posts teasing what’s coming, it looks like the procedural is gearing up for an emotional ending.
The season 18 finale might just be the end of the road for two beloved characters.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs has been suspended ‘indefinitely’ on ‘NCIS’
For weeks, rumors have been swirling that star and executive producer Mark Harmon is ready to leave the series. Harmon has played the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs since the NCIS premiere back in 2003. But, insiders told The Hollywood Reporter in February 2021 that the 69-year-old actor is ready to go.
Not long after the rumors started to swirl, Gibbs’ storyline turned somewhat dark. After using excessive force against a suspect during an interrogation, Gibbs was taken away in handcuffs and suspended “indefinitely.”
Between the rumors surrounding Harmon and Gibbs’ current storyline, many fans are convinced that this is it for the popular character.
Will there be a funeral?
Amid the chatter that Harmon could be saying goodbye to NCIS, star Wilmer Valderrama (Torres) has fans talking about another possible character exit thanks to a cryptic Instagram post. Recently, the That 70’s Show alum posted two pics taken on the set of the season 18 finale.
In the pics, Valderrama, Harmon, and Sean Murray (McGee) posed with cast members Rocky Carroll (Leon Vance), Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer), Diona Reasonover (Kasie Hines), and Emily Wickersham (Eleanor Bishop).
Also in the picture was guest star Katrina Law, who will play NCIS REACT Special Agent Jessica Knight. Everyone in the photo was dressed in black like they were attending a funeral. And, there was one cast member noticeably missing — David McCallum (Dr. Donald “Duck” Mallard).
In the caption Valderrama wrote, “Speaking of starting lineups..we are on the homestretch for our season finale. (that’s all I’m allowed to say) 😬🤷🏽♂️ #NCIS.”
‘NCIS’ fans are worried about the last two OG’s
Like Harmon, McCallum has been part of the NCIS cast since the CBS procedural premiered 18 years ago. While he is still considered part of the main cast, the 87-year-old did reduce his role on NCIS back in 2019. After years as the Chief Medical Examiner, Ducky turned over his role to Jimmy Palmer.
In the comments section of Valderrama’s post, fans started voicing their concerns about a possible funeral for Ducky.
“Where’s ducky??” asked one concerned fan. Another added, “I do not like all the black clothes I’m seeing… Who died?”
Wilmer Valderrama does it again
After his supposed funeral post got fans talking, Valderrama did it again with a second post that featured a video from the set of the finale. In the behind-the-scenes look, the actor thanks the production team for making sure season 18 was filmed in a safe environment.
At the end of the clip, the new dad advised fans to “grab your tissues” for the finale. He also noted that the last episode of season 18 was “fire.”
When will the season 18 finale of ‘NCIS’ air on CBS?
Season 18 of NCIS will only feature 16 episodes in total due to the pandemic, including the season finale. They didn’t get new episodes on the air until November 2020. There’s also been numerous breaks throughout the season to accommodate the network’s smaller episode order.
The final episodes of the season will feature Law, who many believe could be a permanent member of the cast if the show returns for season 19. They will also feature a four-episode arc from Harmon’s wife, Pam Dawber, as journalist Marcie Warren.
The season finale of NCIS will air Tuesday, May 25 on CBS.
