NCIS: ‘The whole team cried’ … Sean Murray (McGee) recalls his final scene with Mark Harmon

This Monday, February 27, CBS aired the 450th episode of NCIS: Special Investigations. In this case, Sean Murray, Agent McGee’s translator, who arrived in the detective series in episode 7 of the first season, returned to the microphone for this important step. Entertainment Weekly.

And in its 20 years of existence, NCIS has undergone many changes and marked the departure of several key characters. The latest is Mark Harmon, who lent his features to the iconic Jethro Gibbs, an actor who bid farewell to fiction in season 19. An important event that upset Agent McGee’s interpreter.

“I had a lot of feelings because it’s harmony. He was like a mentor to me and it was hard to say goodbye to the screen. But at the same time, I felt that if anyone was going to do it, McGee would be the best candidate.“, he explained to our colleagues.

“Shooting this scene was an amazing experience. I will never forget him. It was Mark Harmon, Gary Cole and myself, along with the film crew. We went to Alaska for a week on a private jet and shot what I think was the best shoot we’ve ever done. We swim in the water and when I said goodbye to Mark, the whole team was crying.“

Mark Harmon’s departure in 2021 makes Sean Murray the longest-tenured member of the NCIS cast. And over 20 years, McGee’s character has evolved a lot. When the detective series began, he was a young rookie who felt bad about himself. But in episodes and seasons, he gained confidence.

“He is definitely more confident than before and can do a lot of things than before.” he explained before adding “I think it’s really cool that you played the same character for over 20 years. I don’t think there are many actors who have had the privilege of that.”

“I remember talking to the writers about it very early on. I didn’t want to be the same character every week and never develop. And they were very committed to character growth. So it’s just natural and fun.”

“Wilmer is like a brother”

Over the years and departures, the NCIS teams have seen the arrival of many actors who have arrived to fill the ranks of the special agents team. These are Gary Cole (Alden Parker), Katrina Lowe (Jessica Knight), who joined the series in season 19, or Wilmer Valderrama (Nick Torres), who came in season 14.

And if a new actor sometimes finds it difficult to join the NCIS team, Sean Murray wanted to reassure viewers and explain that everyone is always welcome to newcomers.

“When they come to us, they find that we are friendly and promote a positive team spirit“, he explained. And there are certain actors with whom Sean Murray has formed very strong connections. “Wilmer (Valderrama) is like a brother to me. We are very, very close and this since I met 7 years ago. And Katrina is amazing and very cool.“

A friendship that should last for a while, as CBS announced a few days ago that NCIS has been renewed for a 21st season, set to air at the beginning of the next school year on CBS.