What If Mark Harmon Never Played Gibbs? These 11 Actors Were Almost Cast Instead!

NCIS fans can’t imagine the show without Mark Harmon’s iconic portrayal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, but the path to casting Harmon wasn’t straightforward. Before Harmon secured the role, the producers considered several actors who could have brought their own unique take to the stoic and methodical NCIS team leader. Among the 11 actors almost cast were notable names like Scott Bakula, Dennis Haysbert, and Tom Selleck, each bringing a distinct presence that could have reshaped the series’ dynamic entirely.

The actors on the shortlist offered a range of styles, from Bakula’s approachable intensity to Selleck’s rugged charisma and Haysbert’s commanding authority. While Harmon ultimately made the role his own, giving Gibbs his signature blend of toughness and moral complexity, it’s fascinating to imagine how NCIS might have evolved with a different leading man. The show’s tone, character interactions, and even its longevity could have been drastically altered, underscoring how pivotal Harmon’s casting was in shaping NCIS into the procedural powerhouse it is today.