Why Maria Bello Is Saying Goodbye To Playing Jack Sloane On 'NCIS'

A bittersweet farewell! Maria Bello is reportedly saying goodbye to her time as Jack Sloane on NCIS.

Bello first joined the cast in 2017, but with her three-year contract coming to an end, fans have been keeping a close eye out for hints of her departure. 

In "The First Day" during season 18, Bello’s character told Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon) that she wants to leave the NCIS to take a breather and maybe move to Costa Rica. 

According to Newsweek, Bello agreed to film eight episodes for Sloane’s exit, as she reportedly did not renew her contract. 

"Dear Gibbs — my pal. — Did we or didn’t we? Who will ever know. They will only know that we loved each other dearly and were grateful for our time together with our crew. Love. Jack Sloane," Bello shared on Instagram on Tuesday, February 2, with a tearful shot from the show.

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"And that’s a wrap for Jack Sloane @ncis_cbs !!!" Bello shared on Instagram with a series of behind-the-scenes shots in late 2020.

"I’ve learned many things on this journey for the last three and a half years. I learned about commitment and community. I’ve learned that the woman I am enjoys process over product. I’ve never worked with a kinder, more generous group of people. I only had the privilege of standing by Dom’s [Dominique Crenn] side during cancer because my producers worked so hard to make sure I was there for every treatment.

"I made a speech today for our crew. Though in our business, like many, there are quite a few assholes — there is not one on the set of NCIS — in front of or behind the camera. Only a profoundly decent group of people who care more about each other and the world in general than what is in it for them. I understand why this show after 18 years is the most watched in the world — you must all feel our love. Keep watching. I have a feeling there will be many more years to come. Thank you to all of my pals at NCIS and to all of our fans. I am truly grateful."

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"One of the things we always ask when we're trying to figure out how to exit a character is, 'What does that character deserve?' Sloane is a very strong character, she's a passionate character, and we're going to really have her go out on a noteworthy of that. I'll say that," NCIS showrunners Steven Binder and Frank Cardea told TVLine.

Without NCIS on her plate, Bello is slated to be a writer and producer on The Woman King.

Meanwhile, Harmon’s future on NCIS is unclear. The 69-year-old is reportedly considering returning for a "handful" of episodes in season 19 after he heard that the show was at risk of being canceled if he left.

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The actor is "all work and no play these days," a source told OK! in December. 

"The responsibilities of the show seem to wear heavier on Mark by the year," the insider said. "Even on a break, you can't get him to crack a smile or tell a joke. He'd rather go lie down in his trailer.

A spin-off series NCIS: Hawaii is also in the works, OK! previously reported.