Summary
InNCISseason 22,Sean Murray will break an impressive franchise record. TheNCISstar portrays Special Agent Timothy McGee, an agent who has been with the series sinceNCISseason 1. Sean Murray appeared among an impressive cohort ofNCISstars during his time with the show, working alongside every Major Case Response Team (MCRT) member thus far. The special agent is a part of the upcoming season’scurrentNCIScastbut is also akin to its oldest members. The senior field agent was once a rookie, working under Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo.
NCIShas been on-air for 21 seasons, making any cast members remaining fromNCISseason 1 a rare gem. Sean Murray is one of them, and as such, he has achieved many impressive feats in the series. Timothy McGee has climbed the ranks from the MCRT’s rookie member and probationary agent to next-in-command to Alden Parker and Director Leon Vance. As such, McGee plays a crucial role within the franchise. The actor who plays McGee is just as significant, with Sean Murray breaking records as one of the most seniorNCIScast members.
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Sean Murray Will Surpass David McCallum For The Most Appearances In NCIS
Sean Murray Has Featured In 452 NCIS Episodes
InNCISseason 22, Sean Murray will surpass David McCallum for the most appearances in the series. The actor portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, the team’s chief medical examiner, untilDavid McCallum died at 90. The veteranNCISactor stayed with the show for as long as possible, departing only with his death. David McCallum died of natural causes in New York City just six days after he celebrated turning 90. The series mirrored the peaceful death of the actor, with Ducky passing away in his sleep. McCallum has appeared in only seven more episodes than Sean Murray.
David McCallum rose to fame portraying the sexy Russian spy Illya Kuryakin inThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.from 1964-1968.
InNCISseason 22, Sean Murray will undoubtedly surpass David McCallum in the number of episodes he is featured in, making Murray the most-featuredNCISactor of all time. Murray has been with the show since its first season and has never taken a break since becoming a series regular inNCISseason 2. As it stands,Murray has been featured in 452 episodes, making passing McCallum’s tally of 459 episodes well within reach in season 22. While it was sad to lose the Ducky character, the franchise honored David McCallum with aDucky tribute episodeinNCISseason 21.
Sean Murray Already Passed Mark Harmon For This NCIS Record
Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs Was The Face Of NCIS
InNCISseason 20,Sean Murray surpassed Mark Harmon’s appearance throughout the series, with the former Special Agent in Charge appearing in 435 episodes overall. The milestone gave Sean Murray more presence in the franchise than the face of the franchise, putting Sean Murray in a position to become more integral toNCISthan Mark Harmon in the series' future. McGee is a fan-favorite character, which is whySean Murray became anNCISseries regularafter he was initially only slated for a guest appearance. Murray’sNCISlongevity is a testament to his character’s enduring likability and dedication toNCIS.
If Sean Murray continues portraying Timothy McGee as a series regular, he could soon become more relevant than Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
The shifting dynamic signifies that if Sean Murray continues portraying Timothy McGee as a series regular, he could soon become more relevant than Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While Gibbs was integral to the series' success,Mark Harmon exitedNCISin season 19, and his character will continue to fade into the backdrop as others rise to prominence. The show has seen nearly three seasons since Harmon parted ways with the role. While it has survived in his absence, it will be essential to push characters like McGee into the forefront of the narrative to benefit from the character’s familiarity.
Why Sean Murray Didn’t Break This Impressive Record Sooner
Recent NCIS Seasons Have Been Cut Short
Sean Murray didn’t surpass David McCallum’sNCISappearances sooner because the series experienced a shortened season in season 21 due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Therefore,NCISseason 21, following David McCallum’s death in season 20, was shortened to 10 episodes. Had the series been an average length, consistently 23 or 24 episodes, thenMurray would have trumped McCallum in season 21, shortly after the tribute to the actor in season 21, episode 2. Murray also didn’t appear in every episode ofNCISseason 1, or else he would have broken the record by now.
Sean Murray’s debutNCISappearance is in season 1, episode 7, “Sub Rosa.”
David McCallum made fewer appearances as time passed, with Ducky stepping down as the team’s chief medical examiner. Despite becoming an NCIS historian,Ducky’sNCISappearances were limitedin later seasons. Even so, he’s still the most-featured cast member. Murray also hasn’t surpassed the Scottish actor and musician becauseNCISseasons 17 and 18 were shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jimmy became the team’s chief medical examiner in season 16, so even though the doctor appeared less, the same was true for Murray.NCISseason 22 gives the actor the run he needs to break the record.
How Sean Murray’s Character Can Evolve In NCIS Season 22
Timothy McGee Must Evolve In NCIS Season 22
Sean Murray’s character must continue evolvinginNCISseason 22 to warrant such an extended stay on the show. ThroughoutNCIS'21 seasons, McGee has experienced a fantastic evolution from the team’s rookie NCIS agent to second-in-command to Alden Parker and Director Leon Vance. InNCISseason 21, in the 1000th episode, McGee took over temporarily as NCIS Director. McGee must continue to evolve upward to keep hisNCISpresence fresh. While it’s exciting to see McGee as part of the team, his inclusion is also a constant reminder of how much the team has changed.
It would be wise to challengeMcGee inNCISseason 22, giving viewers something to talk about regarding Murray’s character. Besides stepping in as temporary director in season 21, Murray had a relatively unaffected season. While Nick Torres almost went to prison and Agent Knight bid farewell to the team, Murray’s character was caught in petty disputes with his wife, Delilah, which brought very few opportunities for his character to develop. If anything, it set him back. McGee needs to stay exciting to viewers, not just beloved. Hopefully, last season set him up for dynamic progression in season 22.
Murray’s accomplishment regarding his character’s longevity will hopefully be celebrated inNCISseason 22.The franchise should celebrate Murray with an episodehighlighting his character. Ideally, the episode that Murray passes McCallum for the most episodes featured inNCISwill center on Murray and push his character to develop into a new chapter. A dynamic change is warranted to keep Murray’s character exciting as he returns, as he has for the past 20 years, for another season ofNCIS.There’s a fraction of a chance Murray will retire inNCISseason 22, leaving McCallum as the victor.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
