NCIS: Origins isn’t just diving into the life of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs — it also features Mark Harmon reprising his iconic role as the present-day version of the character.
During a panel on September 19, NCIS: Origins showrunner David J. North confirmed that Harmon, 73, would make a brief return as Gibbs in the pilot episode, which premieres October 14. “That was a discussion between Mark, myself, and [co-showrunner] Gina Monreal,” North told reporters. “We are focusing on him telling the story of 1991. As far as Mark appearing again, we are open to anything.”
This marks Harmon’s first on-screen appearance as Gibbs since leaving NCIS in 2021 after 18 years as the lead. Harmon previously said he had no immediate plans to return to the flagship series but remains open to possibilities. “It wasn’t so much a decision to leave, but the right timing to push away a little bit,” he explained at a July panel.
Although he’s no longer a series regular, Harmon continues to be involved behind the scenes, serving as an executive producer on both NCIS and NCIS: Origins, where he’ll also narrate the prequel series alongside his son, Sean Harmon, who is also an executive producer. As for the future, NCIS co-showrunner Steven D. Binder hasn’t ruled out bringing Harmon back to the original show, saying, “The door is always open… but when we bring him back, it’s got to be something special.”
NCIS: Origins stars Austin Stowell as a young Gibbs and will explore his early days as a newly minted NCIS agent in 1991. The prequel follows Gibbs’ journey as he joins a rugged team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office.
NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, October 14, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
