WARNING: This article contains spoilers for NCIS season 16 that may influence your enjoyment in discovering the plotlines. Read at your own risk.
Since NCIS season 16, the writers have been trying to play up a potential romance between Maria Bello's Jack Sloane and Mark Harmon's Leroy Gibbs. Shippers of the pair have been wondering if things will finally unravel in upcoming NCIS season 17, but Bello shares her insights on what's happening with these characters.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Bello confirmed that there is sexual tension between Gibbs and Sloane and she acknowledged how viewers have picked up on this in the last season. The actress also said that she loves working on her scenes with Harmon so much that resonates when they are in front of the camera.
"I really love Gibbs and Sloane's energy together," Bello said. "I think we've found something so fun over the past couple of years. They really deeply care about each other."
But the actress hasn't confirmed if Gibbs and Sloane will finally get in on in NCIS season 17. She joked that it might seem like the writers want these two to hook up, but it's not a confirmation it will happen in the upcoming season.
However, in 2017, Bello revealed in an interview with The Talk that she's only signed on until NCIS season 17. So, if the writers are planning to bring the pair together, then the relationship could be in trouble before it even started with Bello's contract expiring soon.
Bello joined NCIS in season 15 as the forensic psychologist who could square off with Gibbs. A former lieutenant with the Army, Sloane isn't intimidated by an authority figure like Gibbs, but she also has high respect for him.
As Sloane, Bello added depth to NCIS, and fans learned to love her character in the series. It's unclear, however, if the actress has recently renewed her contract beyond NCIS season 17 with CBS.
Meanwhile, the network has confirmed that NCIS season 17 will begin its run on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 8:00 p.m. Filming has not yet started, but the cast and crew are likely to be back on the set by mid-July.
NCIS season 17 is a highly anticipated premiere since the return of Cote De Pablo (as Ziva David) has been confirmed in May, per TV Line. Showrunners Frank Cardea and Steven D. Binder tried to keep this a secret until they had to film the jaw-dropping scene for the NCIS season 16 finale. In a statement, the showrunners hinted that this is just the beginning as Ziva will be part of the premiere of NCIS season 17.
