We all know the major NCIS casting news these days:

Cote de Pablo will exit the series following this September's NCIS Season 11 premiere.

But William Keck of TV Guide Magazine has broken another tidbit concerning a different character and a memorable, sad event from the show's past: this year's Thanksgiving episode will focus on Leon Vance, who will be spending his first holiday season without his late spouse, Jackie.

"We'll be casting the father of Vance's wife," executive producer Gary Glasberg tells the publication. "We think it will really have some resonance."

NCIS Season 11 kicks off on Tuesday, September 24.

Got any casting suggestions for the role of Vance's father-in-law?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.