The NCIS series has been running since 2003. But its creator left the production after just four seasons. Depending on who you ask, you’ll get different reasons for it.
Which series is it about? NCIS for short is an American crime series that has been running since 2003. So far there are 21 seasons.
The series tells the story of a group of US Navy investigators who solve various crimes. For many years, Mark Harmon was seen as Jeroy Jethro Gibbs, who led his team.
Although the series is still running today, one of the series’ two creators was only on board for four seasons. After only five years, Donald P. Bellisario left the project. The reason for this is still not fully understood.
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Two versions of the same story
Why did the production part ways with its inventor? Although NCIS became a fixture in the American television landscape over the years, in the beginning the production was anything but easy.
And this could be the reason for the separation from series creator Bellisario. Because the author probably had a very idiosyncratic way of working. As executive producer Charley Floyd revealed, Bellisario scrapped entire scripts just before filming.
Some of the actors didn’t know what they would play next and what would happen to their character. The dialogues were also difficult for some to understand, which further hindered the work.
The main actor, Mark Harmon, was particularly bothered by the circumstances. This led to differences between the two. According to producer Floyd, Harmon didn’t say that Bellisario had to leave the show, but he did push and called him “difficult” to work with.
The production then asked the series creator to withdraw. And that’s what finally happened.
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What does Bellisario himself say? If you ask the person affected, the story sounds a little different. While production probably thought it was best for the series to part ways with Bellisario, he cites a different reason for his departure.
It was just time to do something different and move on. I had done enough for the show, so I walked away. It was my decision.
Donald P. Bellisario via jeuxvideo.com
So it sounds like the conflict with the main actor wasn’t a reason for parting ways with the series, at least for Bellisario. It would also have been voluntary. Despite everything, Bellisario kept his credit as executive producer in the credits.
By the way, the whole thing didn’t hurt NCIS. In addition to the 21 seasons, there are other spin-offs that take place in Los Angeles, Hawaii or Sydney, among others.
The fascination for the series seems to continue, even without the former creative mind behind it. The creator of Game of Thrones wasn’t quite as happy with how the series ended.