Veteran Cast Member Leaves ‘NCIS’ in 500th Episode Surprise
NCIS Marks 500th Episode with Shocking Character Death
On March 24, the long-running CBS series NCIS reached a significant milestone, airing its 500th episode, which stunned audiences with the death of a beloved character.
In this episode, Director Leon Vance, portrayed by Rocky Carroll, defends his team as the NCIS faces shutdown by the Department of Defense. While he successfully restores the agency, the plot takes a dramatic turn when Vance is shot and killed by a corrupt agent, leaving fans in shock.
In an interview with TVLine, Carroll revealed that he was “not the catalyst for this happening,” expressing surprise at how quickly he came to terms with his character’s fate. He noted, “I also don’t think at the beginning of the season that it was planned.”
Carroll joined NCIS in its fifth season, transitioning to a series regular by Season 6. Reflecting on the production, he mentioned the episode was filmed in late November and early December, stating he learned about Vance’s demise just two episodes prior to filming.
The decision to kill off Director Vance originated from executive producer Steven D. Binder, who aimed to create “shockwaves through the TV community and the fan base” with this landmark episode.
Describing the story as “great,” Carroll acknowledged the unexpected nature of his character’s ending after an impressive 18-season run. He noted, “I would have loved to have been one of the characters who was there for the very last episode… But after 18 seasons, I couldn’t have asked for more.”
According to Binder, the 500th episode serves as “a tribute and a love letter” to Vance, whose legacy will remain a part of television history.
Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
Robert Voets/CBS
Carroll concluded by expressing pride in the character’s journey, noting that it felt like he had come “full circle” over the years.
