Rocky Carroll discusses the emotional experience of his character Leon Vance's death on NCIS, including the showrunner's decision, his reaction, and his appreciation for his long run on the series.
Rocky Carroll , the actor known for his role as Director Leon Vance on the long-running CBS series NCIS , has opened up about the unexpected and emotional experience of his character's death. Showrunner Steve Binder broke the news to Carroll last November, revealing that Vance would be killed off in the 500th episode of the show. Carroll described the moment he received the news as an “out-of-body experience,” needing a moment to process the information.
He emphasized that this was not a decision initiated by him, stating, “This wasn’t one of those scenarios where I came to the network or I came to the producers and said, ‘Hey, it’s been a great run, but I think I want to move on.’”\Binder informed Carroll that the decision to eliminate Director Vance was made to create a significant impact for the milestone 500th episode, aiming to “shock our loyal viewers and just really turns the ‘NCIS’ universe upside down.” The realization that he had only two more episodes before filming his final scene added to the shock for Carroll. Reflecting on the situation, Carroll stated that he was surprised by his ability to come to terms with the storyline and embrace it. He viewed the narrative as a compelling story, expressing an understanding of the creative decision. Filming the final scene proved to be highly emotional, particularly given Carroll's experience of both acting and directing several episodes of the show. He highlighted his unique relationship with the crew, describing it as deeper due to his directing roles, which allowed him to engage with the crew on a more profound level. This perspective made the final day even more significant.\Carroll expressed his gratitude for his 18 seasons on the show, considering the longevity of his role. He stated that if the situation had occurred earlier in his tenure, it would have been more devastating. However, the lengthy run provided a sense of accomplishment and closure. While the death of Vance was presented as a definitive end, Carroll hinted at potential future appearances, including directing episodes and the possibility of flashbacks featuring Vance. As the plot unfolded, Director Vance was killed by a smuggler while protecting the team. Despite his character’s demise, Carroll expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to have been part of the NCIS family. The actor acknowledged that the death of Vance was intended to honor and protect the team. Carroll has since returned to direct episodes and has discussed the possibility of future appearances, further highlighting his continued connection to the NCIS universe. The actor has a unique relationship with the crew because he also directs, allowing him to connect with the team on a deeper level. The impact of Vance's death is to protect the team
NCIS Rocky Carroll Leon Vance Death Showrunner Steve Binder TV CBS
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