Mark Harmon’s NCIS Comeback as Gibbs Has 1 Unfortunate Catch

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While Mark Harmon is back as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, his return isn’t quite what longtime fans of NCIS were hoping for. Gibbs was the central figure of the show for nearly two decades, but he left in Season 19. After his final case led him to Alaska, Gibbs chose to remain in Naktok Bay, finding a sense of peace and saying farewell to Timothy McGee. His limited return leaves some fans wanting more of the character they’ve followed for so long.

Even though the NCIS series faced challenges after Mark Harmon left, the original show has remained popular with Gary Cole’s Alden Parker stepping in as the new team leader – he was originally assigned to arrest Harmon’s character, Gibbs. While viewership has decreased somewhat in recent years, with shows like Tracker gaining ground, Season 23 of NCIS is starting strong. The show now airs on Tuesdays, along with its spin-offs, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney.

Mark Harmon Will Return to NCIS as Leroy Jethro Gibbs For the Franchise’s Crossover Event

On November 11th, there’s a special crossover event between NCIS and NCIS: Origins. The story will unfold over two episodes, revealing a mystery that’s lasted for 30 years. It begins with an episode called “Buried Truth” on NCIS: Origins Season 2 and finishes with “Now and Then” on NCIS Season 23. Both shows will air at slightly different times on Tuesday night to accommodate the event, with the case starting in the 1990s and continuing to the present day.

The new show, NCIS: Origins, kicks off a case involving the death of a Navy officer in the 1990s, starring a young Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and his team. This case will then continue and be solved in the current NCIS series. The story unfolds over time, letting viewers see the investigation from beginning to end, and highlights the differences in how investigations were handled then versus now, with Alden Parker and his team picking up where young Gibbs left off.

The creators of NCIS: Origins, David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, have revealed that Mark Harmon will reprise his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on November 11th. They explained that fans have missed Harmon and wondered what Gibbs has been doing since his character went into seclusion in Alaska four years ago. While they’re keeping details under wraps, they hinted that Gibbs won’t be facing things alone when he returns.

Mark Harmon Will Return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs In NCIS: Origins Rather Than NCIS’s Flagship

Mark Harmon’s return is definitely a highlight for the NCIS franchise, especially since his last appearance in NCIS: Origins. However, he won’t be appearing in the main NCIS series itself; instead, he’ll be back in the prequel, NCIS: Origins. This makes sense, as he’s been heavily involved in developing the prequel, even providing narration as the older version of Gibbs. Considering he was on NCIS: Origins just last year, his return feels natural and seamless.

Mark Harmon recently made a return appearance, and he shared his thoughts on the show Origins. He expressed pride in the storytelling of David and Gina, praising their dedication to exploring the characters’ histories. Harmon was particularly pleased with an idea they had for his character, Gibbs, and felt it was a natural time to revisit the role. He hopes fans will enjoy seeing him again. While his return is sure to be a hit, there’s one development that could be even more exciting for viewers.

Harmon’s Return to NCIS Is at the Top Of Fans’ Wishlist

The appearance of Gibbs in NCIS: Origins is a major highlight of the season and adds significance to the crossover. However, fans would be even more thrilled to see Mark Harmon back on the original NCIS series. While it’s understandable he’s appearing in the show focused on Gibbs’ backstory, Harmon dedicated nearly twenty years to the original series. Despite this, he hasn’t yet returned to the familiar setting of the Washington Navy Yard.

Although Mark Harmon’s return to NCIS wouldn’t feel complete without Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, many other original cast members are still there. Jimmy Palmer and McGee have been with the show since the very beginning and share a strong connection with Harmon’s character, Gibbs. It would be wonderful to see Harmon back with these familiar faces and reconnect with those who know him best.

Even though Mark Harmon’s character, Gibbs, left the show, he’s still remembered. The remaining agents on the MCRT often refer to his established rules – Parker even quoted Gibbs’ Rule #51, letting his team know Gibbs is still alive. Fans would love to see Harmon reprise his role alongside Jimmy and McGee in the main series. There’s also a possibility these characters could appear with him in the prequel series, which explains why Gibbs wasn’t completely alone in Alaska during a recent crossover episode.

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2025-10-30 19:39