Another NICS Actor Almost Played Gibbs Instead of Mark Harmon

NCIS: Special Investigations, now visible on Prime Video, is a successful American television series which began in 2003. It follows the investigations of a team of highly trained special agents from NCIS, a government agency responsible for investigating crimes related to the United States Navy. The central character of the series is special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, who completed his last investigation last March. If, today, it is very difficult to imagine anyone else embodying this character who is both dedicated and charismatic, this was nevertheless very close to being the case.

Which other NCIS actor to play the character of Gibbs?

As reported AllocinatedDonald Bellisario, the co-creator of the series, known for having also created Magnum, Supercopter Or Quantum Code, had once considered giving the role of Gibbs to Scott Bakula. The two men knew each other through the series Quantum Code. Scott Bakula played Dr. Sam Beckett, a brilliant physicist who, thanks to a scientific experiment called the “Quantum Leap Project”, finds himself thrown into the past. Of course, we also know him for having played in NCIS, New Orleans. In this second spin-off of the series, he had the role of agent Dwayne Pride. Nicknamed “King”, he is the director of the team.

A rivalry between Mark Harmon and Scott Bakula?

Faced with the place occupied by Mark Harmon in the series, and the adulation of some of his fans, did Scott Bakula feel a form of jealousy towards the man who saved the series? Surely not. He even revealed to TV magazine that he and his sidekick from the film sets had a great and beautiful relationship: “I am also a long-time friend of Mark Harmon. When I think that he has been playing Gibbs for twelve years, I am impressed at how he has gone the distance and with such audience success.” he said. No bad feelings, therefore, especially since this proximity had helped them to give, to the delight of the fans, the best of themselves: “Executive producer Gary Glasberg encouraged us to let loose! It was easy, since Mark and I have known each other for a long time. It really serves the plot, because our characters are also old acquaintances, almost brothers. ”

Article written in collaboration with 6Medias