Donald P. Bellisario left NCIS primarily due to a reported feud with the show's star, Mark Harmon.
After four successful seasons of NCIS, a series that originated as a spin-off from JAG, veteran showrunner Donald Bellisario departed from the production. His exit, which occurred in 2007, was widely reported as a direct consequence of ongoing disputes and creative differences with Mark Harmon, who portrays the lead character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Key Aspects of Bellisario's Departure:
- Feud with Mark Harmon: The primary reason cited for Bellisario's departure was his escalating disagreements with actor Mark Harmon. These feuds reportedly created a difficult working environment on set.
- Showrunner Transition: Following his exit, Bellisario stepped down from his role as executive producer and showrunner. He retained an executive producer credit but no longer held day-to-day creative control.
- Impact on the Series: While the change in leadership was significant, NCIS continued its successful run, adapting to the new creative direction under different showrunners.
Bellisario's departure marked a notable shift behind the scenes for one of television's most popular procedural dramas.
