Fans were stunned when NCIS said goodbye to Director Leon Vance in its 500th episode — and Rocky Carroll understands exactly why. After 18 seasons on the hit CBS drama, the actor acknowledged that the emotional twist was designed to leave a lasting impression.
Carroll shared that producers chose Vance specifically because of his importance to the series, making the moment especially impactful for longtime viewers.
While the farewell marks the end of an era onscreen, Carroll reassured fans that he’s still part of the NCIS family through his directing work and potential future appearances.