NCIS Prepares for Timothy McGee's Inevitable MCRT Exit

CBS is future-proofing the long-running procedural as Sean Murray's character is poised to take over as NCIS Director.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:05pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring stark black silhouettes and geometric shapes in high-contrast colors, conceptually representing the transition and power shift within the NCIS team.As NCIS prepares for a major leadership change, the future of the show's core team hangs in the balance.Los Angeles Today

With Timothy McGee's departure from the MCRT team inevitable, CBS is taking steps to prepare NCIS for the major transition. The focus is on rebuilding after the unexpected death of NCIS Director Leon Vance, with McGee emerging as the ideal successor. While his promotion to Director is not yet official, the show is introducing familiar faces like tech operator Curtis Hubley to ease the pressure of finding a permanent replacement for McGee on the main MCRT team.

Why it matters

McGee's exit from the MCRT will be a significant change for the long-running procedural, as he is the longest-serving cast member. Finding a suitable replacement is a tall order, as McGee's responsibilities and leadership role will drastically shift if he takes over as NCIS Director. By introducing supporting characters like Curtis, NCIS is future-proofing the show and giving these side characters a chance to potentially join the main ensemble.

The details

In the recent NCIS episode "Knick Knack", tech operator Curtis Hubley steps in to help the MCRT team while Kasie Hines is away. This marks Hubley's first appearance in the current season and is seen as an indication that CBS is preparing for a major MCRT overhaul as McGee is poised to move into a higher position. While Hubley cannot be an immediate replacement for McGee since he is not an agent, his return suggests CBS is building up a roster of familiar faces that can step in and ease the transition when McGee eventually departs the MCRT.

  • In NCIS season 23, episode 15 "Knick Knack", tech operator Curtis Hubley makes his first appearance of the current season.
  • NCIS season 23 has featured several major narrative and production milestones, signaling the final phase of the show's rebirth following Mark Harmon's departure as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 2021.

The players

Timothy McGee

The longest-serving cast member of NCIS, McGee is poised to take over as NCIS Director, which will significantly change his responsibilities and the dynamic of the main MCRT team.

Curtis Hubley

A tech operator for NCIS who has stepped in to help the MCRT team, hinting that CBS is building up a roster of familiar faces that can potentially join the main ensemble when McGee eventually departs.

Leon Vance

The former NCIS Director whose unexpected death has created a power vacuum in the agency, leading to McGee emerging as the ideal successor.

Alden Parker

The current leader of the MCRT team, who will need to adapt to the changes brought on by McGee's potential promotion to Director.

Sean Murray

The actor who portrays Timothy McGee, the longest-serving cast member of NCIS.

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What they’re saying

“Finding a replacement for McGee is a tall order. As the longest-serving cast member of NCIS, this significant change to his character will have a major disruption to the series' established dynamic.”

— Ana Dumaraog, Writer

“Becoming the director and leaving his agent's desk downstairs means that his responsibilities will also change. So finding a true and permanent MCRT member that can fill the void that he will leave can be a long-term process.”

— Ana Dumaraog, Writer

What’s next

While McGee's promotion to NCIS Director is not yet official, the show is expected to confirm this major transition in the near future. The process of finding a permanent replacement for McGee on the MCRT team will likely be a long-term focus for the series as it navigates this significant change to the established dynamic.

The takeaway

NCIS is taking proactive steps to future-proof the show as it prepares for the inevitable departure of one of its longest-serving and most integral characters, Timothy McGee. By introducing supporting players like Curtis Hubley and hinting at McGee's potential promotion to Director, the series is setting the stage for a major overhaul that will reshape the core MCRT team and the show's overall direction.