After nearly two decades as Director Leon Vance on NCIS, Rocky Carroll has revealed how emotional—and unexpected—it was to learn his character would be killed off in the show’s milestone 500th episode.
Speaking about the moment he heard the news, Carroll described it as an “out-of-body experience,” explaining that the decision wasn’t something he had requested. Instead, the storyline came directly from the creative team, who wanted a twist big enough to shake longtime viewers.
Despite the shock, Carroll said he quickly found peace with the decision. “Eighteen seasons,” he noted, “is like living to be 105 in television years.”
In the landmark episode, Vance is fatally shot while trying to protect the agency from a corrupt agent—an ending showrunner Steven D. Binder called both “terrific” and meaningful for the series’ legacy.
Although his on-screen journey has ended, Carroll hinted fans may still see Vance again through flashbacks in future episodes. 💔