Mark Harmon may have said goodbye to his iconic NCIS character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, at the beginning of Season 19, but his potential return to the series isn’t off the table—especially if the story is right. Although his exit was motivated by a desire to explore new and challenging roles, executive producer Steven D. Binder suggests that Harmon is open to reprising Gibbs under the right circumstances.
Binder explained, “We don’t want to play it cheaply. It just has to be the right story to get him—and us—excited about it. When we do bring him back, it needs to be for the right reasons.” So while Gibbs’ return is uncertain, the door is still open, and it’s all about finding the right moment.
Despite leaving NCIS in 2021, Harmon couldn’t stay away from the franchise for long. His son pushed him to explore the idea of a prequel, and Harmon jumped at the opportunity to revisit his beloved character. In NCIS: Origins, which delves into Gibbs’ backstory, Harmon not only serves as the narrator but also as an executive producer. Harmon’s passion for the series remains strong, and while his return to the main show is not guaranteed, his involvement in the prequel shows that he’s still very much part of the NCIS family.
Harmon’s continued love for the franchise, combined with the right story, could lead to a future Gibbs return. So while we may not know exactly when, it’s clear that the possibility is still there.
