The network is calling this a 'spectacular' and 'historic' moment that will send shockwaves through the fanbase — framed as bold storytelling that honors the show's legacy.
Rocky Carroll didn't choose to leave — he found out just two episodes before filming his death. The cast was genuinely blindsided, with multiple stars admitting they're 'still not over it' and 'shook' by the sudden exit.
Vance died in the March 24, 2026 episode (the show's 500th) after being shot by a CID agent. Carroll, 62, has played Vance since season 5 in 2008 — that's nearly two decades of character history erased. Sean Murray and Gary Cole were both involved in the actual death scene.
The death of a character who's been around since 2008 is being sold as 'spectacular' TV, but the real story is that even the cast doesn't know what's coming next. That's not confidence — that's chaos.
The NCIS family is still processing the loss of Director Leon Vance, and honestly? Nobody knows what's coming next — including the actors themselves.
At CBS Fest on Wednesday, Sean Murray (Special Agent Timothy McGee) exclusively told Us Weekly that the search for a new director is shrouded in mystery. "I don't think we quite know what is in store with the director position," Murray said, proving that even the people who work on the show are in the dark. Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Special Agent Nick Torres, doubled down with a simple "We don't know yet" — because apparently the writers are still figuring it out themselves. Valderrama did tease that the season finale will be "just as shocking and complicated" with McGee specifically involved, which has fans speculating that our favorite tech geek could be stepping into the director's chair.
Here's where it gets spicy: Katrina Law (Special Agent Jessica Knight) hinted that McGee is the most senior agent behind Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker, making him a logical candidate — but she also dropped a cryptic "you never know who's going to come on the show or who might move up — or come back." The cast exchanged knowing glances after that comment, with Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover hinting that a familiar face could return. Someone's coming back, and nobody's confirming who.
The death itself was brutal. Vance was shot by a CID agent in the Tuesday, March 24 episode — the show's 500th no less. Fans initially thought he was wearing a vest, but through flashbacks and a visit from Young Ducky Mallard, it was revealed he bled out from the gunshot. Rocky Carroll, who played Vance since season 5 in 2008, told TV Insider he didn't see it coming and only learned about the exit two episodes prior. "No, it was not my choice," Carroll said. "The studio and network wanted to do something really spectacular, really big." That's corporate speak for 'we needed views and we got them.'
The cast is feeling it. Gary Cole, who was literally in the death scene with Murray, called it "difficult" and "strange" but acknowledged it was a "powerful, historic moment." Law admitted she's "still not over it," to which Dietzen responded that "a lot of us are shook." Reasonover confirmed they're all "shook, absolutely" — and Dietzen pointed out this is the first time they've lost a family member like this in a long time. The death was "really, really traumatic for everyone," he said.
NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, and if the cast's uncertainty is any indication, we're all in for a wild ride when season 24 premieres. But here's my question: after 17 years of Vance, does anyone actually want a new director? Or is CBS just shaking things up for ratings?
