After 18 years as NCIS’s iconic Special Agent Gibbs, Mark Harmon stepped down as a series regular in 2021 but stayed closely connected to the show. When his son, Sean Harmon, suggested the idea of a prequel, the two pitched it directly to showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, sparking the creation of NCIS: Origins, set to premiere on Oct. 14.
“There’s definitely a story to tell, and it’s different from what people know,” Harmon says, expressing excitement over the showrunners’ dedication. He’s committed to protecting the legacy, though he admits it hasn’t been an easy journey. “We fought for every bit of it, but it feels good.”
The prequel takes fans back to Camp Pendleton in 1991, following a young Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, shortly after the tragic loss of his wife and child. Sean Harmon, who previously portrayed a young Gibbs in seven episodes, is now on board as an executive producer. “He’s an actor, writer, producer, surfer — he does it all. He chose this path, and he loves it,” Harmon says, noting why his son decided to work behind the scenes instead of reprising the role.
Although Harmon won’t regularly appear onscreen, he recorded the voiceover narration and will make a cameo in the premiere episode, adding a nostalgic touch for long-time fans. “That was meant to be a surprise,” Harmon jokes, as the cameo was accidentally revealed during a panel last month.
Reflecting on the project, Harmon says, “There are always changes, and it’s a lot of hard work. But everyone’s got a great attitude on set, and we’re constantly pushing to keep the bar high.” NCIS: Origins premieres on CBS on Monday, Oct. 14, at 9 p.m. ET.
