Katrina Law has confirmed the heartbreaking news NCIS fans dreaded: Jessica Knight is leaving the team for good. In a May 12, 2025, interview with TVLine, Law revealed that the Season 22 finale, aired May 5, marked her final episode as a regular. Knight, who joined in Season 18, took a promotion to lead the REACT team at Camp Pendleton, a decision set up in the Season 21 finale but finalized after her return to D.C. failed to mend things with Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen).

The fandom erupted on X, with #KnightExit trending as fans mourned the loss of another female lead. “First Ziva, now Knight—NCIS keeps breaking our hearts,” one user posted. Law explained that Knight’s ambition drove her choice, saying, “She needed to step into her own light, even if it meant leaving.” This exit follows a pattern of female character departures, stirring debate about the show’s direction after 22 years.

Knight’s departure caps a rocky season, with Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee also exiting in the finale, leaving the team in disarray. Showrunners teased a Season 23 shake-up, possibly promoting Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) to lead. Fans fear for Jimmy Palmer next, given his emotional spiral post-breakup. “The team’s unraveling—who’s left to root for?” a Reddit thread questioned.

As NCIS faces an uncertain future, Law hinted at a possible guest return but is focusing on new projects, including her recent film Werewolves. “Knight’s journey felt complete,” she said, leaving fans to grapple with the void. With two original cast members gone, the show’s legacy hangs in the balance as Season 23 looms.