Groundbreaking NCIS Episode 500: Unprecedented Cast Departure Shakes Up the Series After Two Decades

In a dramatic and unexpected twist, “NCIS” has shaken its audience by eliminating a core character through an act of violence, something that hasn’t occurred in nearly twenty years. This time, it is Director Leon Vance, played by Rocky Carroll, whose character meets a tragic end. Vance had initially stepped into the role following the death of Director Jenny Shepard, portrayed by Lauren Holly, who was killed back in Season 5 during the episode “Judgment Day Part One.” This marks the first on-screen murder of a main character since 2008. Prior to this, the last major departure was David McCallum’s character, Ducky Mallard, who died offscreen due to natural causes, mirroring McCallum’s real-life passing.

The shocking assassination of Vance is not just surprising but also unprecedented, as it occurs at the hands of a CID agent. This event unfolds just after NCIS has been integrated into the CID organization, a transition shadowed by a discovery that the CID’s director and multiple agents are embroiled in a smuggling operation. The plot thickens as these conspirators attempt to scapegoat Billy Fuentes, a character linked to the series’ history through his father’s interaction with Leroy Jethro Gibbs in Season 1, Episode 2, “Hung Out to Dry.” However, the NCIS team unravels the truth, clearing Billy’s name. Vance’s sacrifice ultimately results in the reopening of NCIS, but his absence leaves a significant void within the team.

The circumstances surrounding Leon Vance’s demise are laden with irony. Not only does his fate mirror that of his predecessor, but it also echoes the tragic end of Special Agent Caitlin “Kate” Todd, played by Sasha Alexander. Her sudden death in Season 2’s episode “Twilight” left a lasting impression on fans. Initially, viewers were relieved when Todd survived a sniper shot thanks to her bulletproof vest, only to see her succumb to a second, fatal shot. Similarly, in “All Good Things,” Vance is initially portrayed as wearing protective gear. Yet, after enduring three bullets, he comes to the realization — in a conversation with an enigmatic spirit (Adhir Kalyan) in the afterlife — that he must have removed his vest at some point, sealing his fate.

Leon Vance’s murder ends up being ironic in numerous ways. Not only is he slaughtered just like his predecessor, but the fake-out leading up to his death resembles that of Special Agent Caitlin “Kate” Todd (Sasha Alexander), who was memorably killed during Season 2’s “Twilight.” Audiences are initially comforted when she takes a sniper shot, then rises and shows her colleagues that she’s wearing a bulletproof vest. Unfortunately, Todd is subsequently wasted by a second bullet fired from nearby. 

In “All Good Things,” Vance is previously shown to be wearing a vest as well, but after taking three bullets, he realizes later — while conversing in the afterlife with an unidentified spirit (Adhir Kalyan) who’s been trying to convince him to accept his death — that he must have taken it off at some point.

Executive producer Steven D. Binder has admitted that Vance’s death ought to bring the loss of Todd to mind. “There have always been real stakes, perhaps as best embodied by what happened to Agent Todd [Sasha Alexander] in the Season 2 finale,” he told TV Insider. “It is never easy to say goodbye to any of our characters, but we wanted to honor Rocky and his legacy on the show as best as we could — in this case, giving his life so his agency could live.” Vance is now in the company of a young Ducky Mallard (Adam Campbell) — who was in disguise as the spirit all along — in the afterlife. As for the real world, Rocky Carroll is likely to be back to direct some “NCIS” episodes in the future.