Sean Murray has got NCIS fans on the edge of their seats, as they have been wondering if his character might be leaving the show.
For more than 20 years, Murray has played Timothy McGee on NCIS. He’s 48 now and holds the record as the longest-running cast member on the series. Fans have watched McGee transform from the awkward new guy to someone the team can’t do without. It’s been quite a journey.
But here’s the thing about long-running shows like NCIS. People leave. Characters disappear. Sometimes they die. Lately, fans have been worried that McGee might be next on that list.
Murray sat down with TV Line and addressed the elephant in the room. When asked about his character leaving the show, he replied: “There’s always an element of the gossip thing that comes up.” Notice he didn’t say yes or no. He didn’t confirm anything or deny anything.
He reminded everyone that NCIS has never been a safe space for its characters. “Things can take big, unexpected turns with characters,” Murray explained. “I mean, things can happen. No one is ever quite safe on this show.”
Later, he went on to say, “Don’t forget: We were also the show [where] one of the lead characters took a bullet and died at the end of season 2,” he said. He was talking about Caitlin Todd, played by Sasha Alexander. She was Tony’s partner, and her death shocked everyone. That moment proved that NCIS doesn’t play favorites.
The show is now in its 23rd season and has gone from investigating murders, espionage, terrorism, and even stolen watercrafts. The fictional team mirrors the real federal agency, handling cases that keep viewers coming back week after week.
Also, this season’s sixth episode isn’t helping calm anyone’s nerves. McGee gets kidnapped while he’s out promoting his new book in the Deep Six crime series. That detail alone has sent speculation into overdrive. Kidnapping a main character? That usually doesn’t end well on television.
Murray dropped another hint during his interview. “We’ve had some really surprising things happen,” he said. “I can tell you there’s stuff coming up this year that longtime fans of the show are really going to enjoy, because it’s different for us and unexpected.”
Different and unexpected. Those words can mean a lot of things. A character leaving counts as different and unexpected. So does a character stay surprisingly. Murray’s keeping everyone guessing, and he seems to be enjoying it.
The anticipation for Murray’s character is real. As fans have invested decades in watching McGee grow are now holding their breath. Will he stay? Will he go?
Well, the answer to these questions will be answered in the new episodes of NCIS that will air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST.
