'NCIS': Mark Harmon's Gibbs Is Gone, and Fans Are Inconsolable

NCIS fans are reeling following the massive cast shakeup that took place during Monday night's new episode. During the episode, titled "Great Wide Open," series star after Mark Harmon ended his 18-season run as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, resulting in plenty of tears from viewers. Warning: This story contains major spoilers for NCIS Season 19, Episode 4, "Great Wide Open."

Following months of speculation that Harmon would exit the show, and following a report that he initially considered not renewing his contract to return for Season 19, Harmon exited the series during the final moments of the episode. After nearly dying in a boat explosion in the Season 18 finale and amid his suspension from the team, the episode saw Gibbs and Special Agent Timothy McGee traveling to Alaska to find a contract killer. However, after the case was solved and when Director Leon Vance offered Gibbs his badge back, he ultimately declined, instead opting to stay in Alaska, where he said he found a "sense of peace."

While fans had been suspecting his exit, they were far from ready to face the reality of Harmon leaving the show. The actor has starred as Gibbs since even before NCIS' 2003 debut, Harmon first taking on the role on JAG. He later became the lead on NCIS, appearing in more than 400 episodes before his farewell Monday night. Gibbs' decision to not return to a career in law enforcement left many fans in tears, with reactions pouring in on social media.