He never said to anybody, ‘Get rid of Don’”: Mark Harmon Was Apparently Not the One Who Ordered CBS to Kick Creator Donald Bellisario Out of NCIS

Mark Harmon didn’t order CBS to remove NCIS creator Donald Bellisario, despite long-standing rumors. So, who really made the call?

For years, rumors swirled that Mark Harmon was the reason NCIS creator Donald Bellisario was shown the door. But according to those in the know, Harmon never gave CBS the order to oust him. While tensions between the star and Bellisario were no secret, the decision to part ways wasn’t as cutthroat as many believed. Mark Harmon didn’t push NCIS creator Donald Bellisario out of his own show, despite the long-standing rumors. While there was tension, the decision to part ways wasn’t as cutthroat as some think.

The drama started with NCIS‘s grueling production schedule. Per executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson, the cast had no clue about their character arcs, making it tough to prep lines. Harmon, frustrated by the chaos, finally spoke up (per The Hollywood Reporter in 2023):