Mark Harmon Returns as Gibbs in NCIS Crossover Event

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Mark Harmon is set to make a notable return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the highly anticipated crossover event between NCIS and NCIS: Origins, airing on November 11. This event marks the first time Harmon has returned to the screen since he left the popular CBS procedural in 2021.

Harmon portrayed Gibbs for 18 seasons and is a beloved figure in the series. Fans will see a younger version of Gibbs alongside Harmon, who narrates the prequel series, NCIS: Origins. This crossover will dive into a case involving the death of a naval officer in the 1990s, re-opening critical investigations from the past.

Previously, Harmon expressed excitement about returning to the role, highlighting that he was pleased with the story direction taken by show creators David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal. “They came to me with an idea for Gibbs that I liked. It seemed like a good time to check in with him,” Harmon stated in a recent interview.

Although Harmon left NCIS in 2021, he framed his exit as a natural progression in his career and cited timing as a key factor in his decision, reflecting on the physically demanding nature of filming. “I was just tired. The first day [on NCIS], we worked 22 hours,” he recalled in a previous interview.

During an interview following his departure, Harmon noted that he was proud of how his character was portrayed in the series over the years. “I was thrilled with the storyline they came up with, and how they handled the character,” he said. “The show’s continued. I was always of the opinion that this show would carry on, no matter who left or who joined.”

In the build-up to the crossover event, Harmon’s former co-stars shared their sentiments about his lasting impact on the series. “Mark’s always been part of the show, and he’s always going to be part of the show,” said former CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl.

Returning to the role of Gibbs gives Harmon a unique opportunity to revisit the character’s origins and development, something he believes offers viewers a richer understanding of Gibbs’s journey. “It’s a comfortable spot because of the creative process and who you’re working with,” Harmon explained during an interview. “It’s special to have a backlog of time together with this team.”

The crossover will explore themes from Gibbs’s character, including his historic tendencies to operate as a loner juxtaposed with his new circumstances in Alaska, where he seeks solitude. Harmon hinted that fans can expect some familiar character traits to resurface during the crossover.

The official synopsis for the crossover event reads, “Younger Gibbs and team investigate the small-town death of a naval officer in the ‘90s on NCIS: Origins — a case that’s unexpectedly re-opened in the present day on NCIS.”

With both NCIS and NCIS: Origins scheduled for a simultaneous airing from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET, fans are eager to see how Harmon’s character continues to unfold in this new narrative.