Gary Cole on Being NCIS’ Mark Harmon Replacement: ‘Alden Parker Was Nothing Like Gibbs

For any NCIS fan, saying goodbye to Leroy Gibbs was not easy. After years of watching Mark Harmon lead the team with his signature stare and quite intensity, it was hard to imagine anyone else stepping into his shoes. So, when Gary Cole joined the show as Alden Parker, there was a mix of curiosity and let’s be honest – some hesitation.

But something about Parker’s entrance felt different, and over time, fans could see why he was the perfect replacement for Gibbs. So, what exactly made his arrival work? And why was he never meant to be a Gibbs 2.0? Let’s take a closer look.

And according to Cole, as well, this played a huge role in making fans adjust to the new dynamic without feeling like the show was trying to replace Gibbs overnight. Not only this, but both the characters are quite different from one another. Unlike Gibbs, who was often brutal and authoritative, Parker was more of a teammate who only stepped in when necessary.