‘NCIS’ Season 16 Air Date, Spoilers: Mark Harmon Is Not Leaving; Diona Reasonover Now a Series Regular

“NCIS” season 16 is ready for a new batch of episodes as CBS ordered another season for television. The good news is that Mark Harmon, the show’s executive producer and lead star, has also signed a new deal to portray his character, special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, once again.

Mark Harmon’s new deal with CBS just quashed rumors that he will be leaving the show due to his age and failing health. Radar Online reported that the 66-year-old actor wants to retire because he was so shaken when his friend, NCIS creator Gary Glasberg, suddenly died in his sleep at the age of just 50.

While he will still be on “NCIS” season 16, it was reported that his role could change so he will not have to do lots of fieldwork on the show anymore. As stated on CarterMatt, "Mark may eventually decide to move on or go in a lesser direction; there’s already a possible thread on the story about him getting a promotion that could take him out of the field to a certain degree."

Other Cast Members

Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) has left the show for good so she will not be coming back as the forensic scientist. On the other hand, David McCallum (Dr. Donald Mallard), Rocky Carroll (Leon Vance), Sean Murray (Timothee McGee), Emily Wickersham (Eleanor Bishop), Brian Dietzen (Dr. Jimmy Palmer) and Maria Bello (Dr. Jacqueline Sloane) are appearing again in the series via “NCIS” season 16.

A new addition to the cast lineup was revealed by Deadline. The publication reported that Diona Reasonover (Kasie Hines), who was a guest in three episodes in season 15, has been promoted and is now a regular cast member.

Air Date

Filming for “NCIS” season 16 officially started on July 16, and a video of Brian Dietzen, on his first day of shooting, was posted on the show’s Twitter account. Along with the video, it was announced that the procedural drama is set to premiere for a new season on Sept. 25 on CBS.