'NCIS' Season 15: New Character May Replace Jennifer Esposito; Show Taking New Direction

By now, fans already know that Jennifer Esposito won’t be coming back for “NCIS” Season 15. She will be exiting the CBS drama after only one season as a series regular. Esposito played Special Agent Alexandra “Alex” Quinn, an experienced and talented agent who Gibbs (Mark Harmon) lured back into the field. She used to be an instructor at the Law Enforcement Training Center.

It is said that the character Quinn was the brainchild of the late showrunner Gary Glasberg shortly before his death in September. There is a speculation that “NCIS” Season 15 will be going to a new creative direction, which partly explains Jennifer Esposito’s departure reports Deadline. Many were surprised by this development mostly because there were no hints that someone will be leaving the series in between seasons.

With Jennifer Esposito officially out of “NCIS” Season 15, many are wondering if another character will be added to the show. Whether the show needs a new character, preferably a woman, should probably be addressed first. Fans would certainly want to see more of the long-running series and providing a well-cast new character could provide a new and unique storyline. This could help extend the life of the show according to Cartermatt.

Others may argue, however, that the cast for “NCIS” Season 15 is already enough even with Jennifer Esposito’s departure from the series. After all, Michael Weatherly was replaced by three people. But, Mark Harmon’s character is being rumored to be taking a lesser role and it’s possible that they would be needing someone else to lead the NCIS team. Also, with Quinn leaving, the balance of the show will tilt heavily to the men.

Do you think that “NCIS” Season 15 needs a replacement for Quinn? Where is the purported new creative direction taking the show after fourteen years? Share your comments in the section below.