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NCIS has been a TV staple since it first aired on CBS in 2003. The show, a spin-off of JAG, follows a team of special agents in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as they handle cases involving the US Navy and Marine Corps.
Over the years, NCIS has evolved, introducing new characters while saying goodbye to long-running fan favorites. Despite cast changes, the show has remained one of the most-watched dramas on television, maintaining its loyal audience for over two decades.
While the show has seen multiple cast shake-ups, the addition of Pam Dawber in season 18 was one of the most notable guest appearances. Fans were thrilled to see Dawber, who is Mark Harmon’s real-life wife, finally share the screen with him. However, her character, investigative journalist Marcie Warren, didn’t stick around for long.
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Why Did Pam Dawber Leave NCIS?
Dawber’s time on NCIS was always meant to be temporary. The actress, best known for her role in Mork & Mindy, had largely stepped away from acting years ago. Before NCIS, she hadn’t taken a major role in years, except for a small part in The Odd Couple in 2016. In interviews, she admitted that she had turned down multiple offers to appear on NCIS over the years but finally said yes when the role of Marcie Warren came along.
“The character was so good. I just fell in love with what they wrote,” Dawber said. However, she also revealed no interest in returning to acting full-time, explaining that she didn’t want to deal with early call times, long filming hours, or social media scrutiny.
While Marcie’s storyline felt open-ended, Dawber’s departure wasn’t a surprise. After helping Gibbs wrap up the serial killer case, her character decided to leave town for some much-needed rest. In her final scene, Marcie says goodbye to Gibbs before heading off to a cabin for the weekend, closing her chapter on the show.
Pam Dawber joined NCIS in season 18 as Marcie Warren. She played a sharp and determined journalist who crossed paths with Gibbs. Most characters either feared or admired him, but Marcie was one of the few who challenged him. She appeared when Gibbs was suspended from NCIS after attacking a man involved in a dogfighting ring.
She grew curious about his story and started investigating. Her search led her to a serial killer case. She and Gibbs ended up working together to track down the murderer and formed an unexpected but compelling partnership.
Marcie’s presence on the show felt refreshing. She was not a love interest or another agent. She was a strong-willed journalist with her own reasons for getting involved.
Dawber made it clear before signing on that she had no interest in playing a romantic role alongside her husband. Marcie was written as a no-nonsense professional who challenged Gibbs in ways other characters never did. She appeared in seven episodes across seasons 18 and 19 before making her exit.
Her exit was also marked by a subtle nod to her past work. In one of her final scenes, Tobias Fornell jokingly refers to her as "Mindy," a reference to her iconic role in Mork & Mindy alongside Robin Williams. It was a clever way to acknowledge her television legacy while giving fans a lighthearted moment before she left.
Will Pam Dawber ever return?
With Gibbs leaving NCIS shortly after Marcie’s exit, the chances of Dawber returning are slim. The show has moved forward with new cast members, and Dawber has shown no interest in resuming her acting career. She has been clear that she only took the role because she loved the character and thought it would be fun to work with her husband.
While fans may not see Marcie Warren again, Dawber’s guest role was a memorable one. It gave NCIS fans a rare chance to see her and Harmon act together while adding an interesting new character to the show’s universe. Even though her time was short, Marcie’s sharp wit and investigative skills left a lasting impression.
The next episode of NCIS is scheduled to air on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 9 pm ET/PT on CBS. This will be season 22, episode 13, titled Bad Blood.
