After 18 years as NCIS Director Leon Vance, Rocky Carroll’s exit from the long-running series came during its milestone 500th episode in a shocking twist that left fans stunned.
Carroll admitted he wasn’t initially aware his character would be killed off. When producers later told him about the plan, he was surprised but eventually came to appreciate the emotional weight and impact of the storyline. Vance’s final act—sacrificing himself to save the agency and expose corruption—gave the character a powerful sense of closure after nearly two decades on screen.
For Carroll, watching the episode at a public screening felt like viewing it as a fan. He said his main concern was whether the episode would work overall, and he ultimately felt it delivered a strong and well-crafted story.
When he first joined NCIS in Season 5, Vance wasn’t immediately embraced. He was introduced as an outsider and a strict authority figure, which made him a challenging addition to the established team. Over time, however, the writing and character development—especially storylines about his personal losses—helped audiences connect with him, turning him into a core member of the NCIS family.
Carroll also revealed that killing off Vance had been considered years earlier, but was repeatedly delayed as the character became more central, particularly through his dynamic with Gibbs.
Despite the character’s death, Carroll isn’t entirely leaving the NCIS universe. Alongside acting, he has been directing episodes since 2015 and continues to return behind the camera, including recent installments. He’s also open to potential flashback appearances.
Looking ahead, Carroll says he’s open to new opportunities but not rushing into another major role. After nearly 20 years on NCIS, he’s considering focusing more on directing and taking time to explore new creative paths.
While Vance’s story has ended, Carroll believes the character’s legacy will remain an important part of the series.