It had been earlier reported by the trade publication that Mark Harmon had considered turning in his badge and gun–and this season’s storyline with Gibbs on suspension has done nothing to dissuade that. But apparently, when the network informed Harmon, who is very loyal to his cast and crew, that they would cancel the show if he were not to return, he had a change of heart. Still in question is how many episodes Season 19 will consist of and if Harmon will appear in each of them or if there will be some weeks where the team handles the cases without him. Also returning for season 19 will be Sean Murray, Emily Wickersham, Wilmer Valderrama, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover and Rocky Carroll. Joining the cast for Season 19 as a series regular will be Katrina Law, who will be introduced at the end of Season 18, according to Deadline. She will play REACT Special Agent Jessica Knight, who is described as “fiercely tenacious and with a wry sense of humor.” Her specialty is hostage negotiations. Law is filling the vacancy left by Maria Bello, who wrapped up her storyline earlier this season. CBS also picked up several of its other successful procedural shows: Blue Bloods, S.W.A.T., Magnum P.I, The Equalizer, FBI and FBI: Most Wanted. It has previously canceled MacGyver and NCIS: New Orleans, with word that NCIS: Hawaii will be the new series in the franchise if it gets a pickup. If it does, the rumor is that it would be led by a female, which would be a first in the NCIS world. Still awaiting word on pickups are NCIS: Los Angeles, SEAL Team, All Rise and freshman drama Clarice. NCIS airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Next, find out who Mark Harmon’s wife plays on NCIS.
