Hollywood Reporter: Mark Harmon Will Star Alongside Gary Cole on 'NCIS' – Learn More on the Cast

Gary Cole is set to act alongside Mark Harmon in the upcoming season 19 of NCIS. The actor was announced alongside actress Katrina Law as the newest addition to the beloved series.

Following speculations that Mark Harmon's time on NCIS might be drastically reduced in the upcoming season, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that actor Gary Cole has been announced as a new cast member.

The renowned "Veep" actor will join actress Katrina Law, and the duo would act alongside Harmon to help with his reduced screen time in season 19. Law already made an appearance in the last two episodes of season 18.

The 35-year-old actress starred as Special Agent Jessica Knight and is set to continue in that role in the new season, but details about Cole's character haven't been revealed. Showrunner Steven D. Binder said about the latest additions:

"We haven't shot a single frame quite yet, but with the addition of Gary Cole and Katrina Law to the cast, this is already shaping up to be one of the best seasons yet."

Although not much is known about the prospects of Cole's role, a source insists that he isn't going to be a replacement for Harmon. Rumors about Harmon's departure first surfaced after he signed a one-year deal for season 19.

Season 18 of "NCIS," which ended in May, was filled with many unexpected deaths.

It was reported that the actor who stars as lead character Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs is only going to appear in a limited capacity for the new season. Fans got a hint of Harmon's speculated exit in the season 18 finale.

Viewers saw Gibbs supposedly being killed off when his boat exploded, but his body wasn't seen. Before then, Season 18, Episode 10, gave a shocking twist to the storyline when Gibbs beat up a suspect following an illegal dogfighting ring.

The episode ended with Gibbs being suspended as he turned in his gun and badge, suggesting that his time as an agent is over. Season 18 of "NCIS," which ended in May, was filled with many unexpected deaths.

One of such deaths that took fans by surprise was that of Tobias Fornell's daughter, Emily, who relapsed in episode 9 and overdosed at home. Several fans took to Twitter to cause an uproar over the emotional episode.

Earlier this year, it was reported that a new spinoff to the franchise, "NCIS: Hawaii," was in the works. Although CBS has made no official comment about the new installment, it will feature a new team of agents based in Hawaii.