Although Mark Harmon doesn’t reprise his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on-screen in NCIS: Origins, he’s still deeply involved in the show as its narrator and executive producer. In a recent interview with Parade, Harmon reflected on his unique role in this spinoff.
“Working with [showrunners] Gina [Lucita Monreal] and David [J. North] has been fun,” Harmon shared. “I’ve known them both for a long time, so narrating was always in the plan.” The unexpected challenge, he noted, is voicing a character known for his subtlety: “Sometimes I have just a few lines, but other times I’ve got a lot to say. That means putting words into the mouth of a character who usually spoke volumes with silence.”
Harmon is also pleased with casting Austin Stowell as the young Gibbs. “Austin is a great kid and talented actor,” he said. “We spent weeks on casting, and we’re thrilled with the result. Of course, I think back to the first few years of NCIS and how much the show evolved. There were major changes then, and Origins will be no different.”
Harmon’s son, Sean Harmon, who also serves as an executive producer, recently described how this younger Gibbs will differ from the seasoned leader fans know. “The Gibbs audiences know is the boss,” Sean explained. “But in NCIS: Origins, we’re exploring a less seasoned version. Viewers will see what drives him and meet the characters who shaped him.”
NCIS: Origins recently received a full-season order from CBS, with an 18-episode debut season now confirmed. “Origins adds a new dimension to the NCIS franchise,” said CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach, describing it as “a ’90s-inspired origin story with distinctive characters, stories, and crime-solving.”
The series airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
