Jesse Stern, a writer on NCIS, revealed he tried to prevent the death of Mike Franks during the show's eighth season. The character, played by Muse Watson, was killed in the episode Swan Song.
Stern spoke about the decision during a 2024 appearance on the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast. He recalled being told by executive producer Gary Glasberg that the character would die.
Stern said he questioned the choice because Franks had not appeared that season. He worried viewers would expect the outcome and preferred a different approach.
To allow future returns, Stern wrote the episode so the actor could reprise the role. Franks later appeared in flashbacks and as a ghost through season 15.
Muse Watson also played a younger version of the character on NCIS: Origins in 2025.