Rocky Carroll Reflects on ‘NCIS’ Exit, Teases Potential Comeback
Rocky Carroll reflected on his long run with NCIS and teased a potential comeback in a recent interview with Filmogaz.com. He described seeing his final episode for the first time at a Screen Actors Guild screening in New York. About 150 strangers watched alongside him when the episode aired on March 24.
Vance’s final hour
The 500th episode of NCIS, part of season 23, closed with Director Leon Vance’s death. Carroll has portrayed Vance since 2008. His tenure lasted roughly 18 years and nearly 400 episodes.
The episode, titled “All Good Things,” shows NCIS under threat of being handed to Army CID. Vance discovers a corrupt CID agent, defuses a bomb, and is shot by Agent Dolan Thompson. Gary Cole’s Alden Parker and Sean Murray’s McGee arrive too late.
How the ending played out
Adhir Kalyan’s unnamed interrogator questions Vance as events unfold. Vance reconciles with Parker before his final actions. A younger version of Ducky, played by Adam Campbell from NCIS: Origins, guides him toward the light.
Paula Newsome’s Jackie, Vance’s late wife, appears in voice as he dies. The agency later reopens with Parker returning from retirement.
Carroll on the choice to kill Vance
Carroll said he did not know Vance would die when season 23 began. He called the episode a bold storytelling move. He felt the character’s sacrifice was meaningful for the milestone 500th episode.
He noted writers had debated Vance’s fate years earlier. The character grew from a guarded boss to a fully dimensional figure. That shift helped embed Vance in the NCIS family.
Numbers and career milestones
- Joined NCIS at the end of season five in 2008.
- Appeared in roughly 392 of 500 episodes, near 80 percent.
- Directed his first NCIS episode in 2015.
- Directed at least three episodes this season, including “Gone Girls” and “Her.”
Directing on NCIS
Carroll began directing after eight seasons on set. An executive producer replied quickly when he asked to try directing. He earned the on-set nickname “Director Director” when behind the camera.
He did not direct the episode in which Vance dies. A month later, he returned to direct another episode that has not aired yet.
Race, legacy and reception
Carroll reflected on being one of the first Black series regulars on NCIS. He recalled colleagues and fans recognizing the significance. Wilmer Valderrama told him he helped change the show’s racial landscape.
Carroll said the character’s development, including Jackie’s death, brought Vance closer to Gibbs. That shared tragedy helped win over longtime viewers.
Life after NCIS
At 62, Carroll said he plans to stay active in film and television. He joked about travel and food shows similar to Anthony Bourdain or Stanley Tucci. Mark Harmon encouraged him to pursue directing or take a break.
Carroll has been invited to return as a director next season. Producers also use “ghost stars” and flashbacks, so he might appear despite Vance’s death.
What’s next for the series
NCIS continues to air Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT and streams on Paramount+. Fans remain curious how writers will handle Vance’s legacy. Carroll’s comments show he welcomes both closure and future opportunities.
