NCIS season 18 will be the final installment for Maria Bello's character, Jack Sloane. She'll be appearing in eight episodes, but not necessarily the first eight to air. It seems like this is the end of the road for the character unless some changes will be announced later on.

For now, there's a question as to when Bello could film her final episodes in NCIS season 18. The current global health crisis remains to be the major filming challenge here. Yet, her story is expected to be wrapped up before the year ends.

Even if they started filming her remaining episodes at a later date, CarterMatt noted there's a chance Jack's storyline will be completed before their holiday break. If not, then, we can expect Bello to return in the series in early 2021 to wrap up everything.

The actress is moving forward to pursue other opportunities, so her story won't continue until mid-next year. Perhaps, we could still see Jack appearing in NCIS season 18 through the first couple of weeks in 2021. Since the series isn't premiering until November, only a few episodes will air this calendar year.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how Jack will be written out in the story. But, some speculated that Bello's character might die at some point. She could be either hiding a medical condition or would be killed off to something case-related.

Also, there's speculation that Jack will suddenly disappear and this will become an on-going mystery in NCIS season 18. Everyone will probably wonder why she's gone and the team would cover this to find out what happened to her and explained her absence.

Jack's departure could be family-related, as well. It was revealed that she has a daughter, whom she gave up for adoption. They reconnect in the previous season and they're slowly building a relationship. Perhaps, she'll choose to step back from her work and be more involved with her daughter.

If not family-related, Jack's exit could be something case-related. She might get involved in a certain case, and it grabs her attention and pulls her away from the department. In addition, Bello's character could be written out by appointing her to a new post elsewhere.

But, Jack could just choose to leave the headquarter without any reasons and plans for the future. She, probably, wants to travel and have some time alone with herself. Whatever her reasons might be, we're going to find that out in NCIS season 18.