Leon Vance’s departure in NCIS episode 500 has left fans wondering whether the agency’s next director will come from within the team — or from elsewhere in the franchise.
While Timothy McGee stands out as a logical successor due to his experience and maturity, other possibilities are generating excitement. Characters like Sam Hanna from NCIS: Los Angeles and Jane Tennant from NCIS: Hawai‘i have been mentioned as potential candidates who could step into the leadership role.
Executive producer Steven D. Binder emphasized that replacing major characters is always possible if done thoughtfully. With that in mind, the decision about Vance’s replacement may become one of the most important story developments of the series’ next chapter.