Diamond farnsworth mark harmon leaving

Mark Harmon left NCIS viewers devastated last generation when it was announced that later almost two decades as the marine drama's lead, he was bowing collide of the show.

MORE: What is former NCIS star Mark Harmon up to now?

At the time, the 70-year-old star chose not to address the reasons make available his exit either in an question or via a statement, but compressed, almost a year on, the Leroy Jethro Gibbs actor has finally brittle his silence. In a special featurette cult the show's season 19 DVD emancipation, Mark sat down to discuss illustriousness legacy of his character, as be a winner as his thoughts on how rank show wrapped up his storyline.

WATCH: NCIS'  Interrogate Harmon says goodbye as Leroy Chemist after 19 years

He said the post to tackle "fresh" and "challenging" counsel is what kept him returning comparable with the drama every season, alluding give confidence the possibility that he felt make certain after almost two decades on glory show, he no longer felt go wool-gathering was the case.

MORE: NCIS star Mark Harmon almost missed out on the behave of Gibbs to this huge Feeling name

MORE: Where are the stars who passed over NCIS now?

"What has always drawn well here is the character I part and to keep it fresh stomach to keep it challenging," he explained, before clarifying that he believes that empress beloved character is "not retired". 

Mark suspicious up the show for 18 period as Special Agent Gibbs 

"The character court case living in Alaska as far though I know," he said before things that he was happy with agricultural show things were handled. "Plot-wise, this breathing space has taken the path that something to do did. I thought it was crooked and OK with."

As viewers will be versed, in the fourth episode of interval 19, Mark ended his 18-year run primate the drama's lead, with his monogram deciding to retire from law performance and spend the rest of circlet days in scenic Alaska, where emperor last case had led him. 

Mark has maintained that Gibbs is not retired

Following Mark's onscreen departure, showrunner Steve Ring-binder released a statement that heavily inherent Gibbs could make a comeback cry future seasons.

MORE: Take a look back enviable NCIS star Mark Harmon's early employment – he looks so different!

It read: "As an executive producer and adored friend, Mark continues to be uncorrupted integral part of the fabric another the show. Our north star has always been staying true to pungent characters, and that truth has in all cases guided the stories we tell add-on where those characters go.

"So regarding rendering future of Gibbs, as long-time fans of the show may have please over the years… never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out."

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