close
close
numb-two

Mark Harmon Plays Gibbs in NCIS: Origins Premiere After Series Ends

Heory
Mark Harmon Plays Gibbs in NCIS: Origins Premiere After Series Ends

Mark Harmon as Gibbs. Ron P. Jaffe/CBS

NCIS: Origins not only explores Gibbs’ life when he was younger – the prequel also includes Highlight Harmon reprising his role as a modern version of the character.

During a panel discussion with journalists on Thursday, September 19 NCIS: Origins showrunner David J. North confirmed that Harmon, 73, will briefly appear as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the pilot, which premieres Oct. 14.

“It was a discussion between Mark, me and (co-host) Gina Monreal. “I hope the audience will be excited to see him after all these years,” North said, according to TV line“We’re focused on telling the story of 1991. As for Mark’s reappearance, we’re open to anything.”

The exciting news comes after Harmon stated that he has no official plans to return to NCIS“It wasn’t so much a decision to leave, but it was the right time to step away a little bit,” he said at a July panel during the Television Critics Association summer press tour about his departure. “I was thrilled with the storyline they came up with and how they handled the character. And the show went on.”

Related: Reboots and revivals No beloved TV stars

It’s officially the season of reboots and revivals on TV. While many original cast members return for new series that revisit old storylines, many shows skip major stars when they return. From reality TV shows like Jersey Shore — Samantha “Sammi Sweetheart” Giancola didn’t return to the spin-off Jersey Shore Family Vacation when it debuted (…)

Harmon, who continues to serve as an executive producer on NCIS, was asked if he could see himself reprising his role on screen.

“I’ve been asked that a lot,” Harmon noted. “(But) I’ve always let the writers do what they want.”

Harmon created his NCIS debuted as Gibbs in 2003 and played the lead role for 18 years. His last appearance was in late 2021, and Harmon has not returned to the flagship series. He has, however, signed on to narrate the prequel series NCIS: Origins and serves as an executive producer on the project with his oldest son, Sean Harmon.

Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Greg Gayne/CBS

“What always drew me here was the character I play and wanting to keep it fresh and challenging,” Harmon said of his departure in an August 2022 interview included on the season 19 DVD release. “Storyline-wise, the character has taken the path that she has. I’m not retired. As far as I know, the character lives in Alaska.”

Related: TV stars who left shows and came back

Saying goodbye is hard — staying away is even harder. That’s the case for many TV stars. Episodic television, while constantly changing in the streaming wars, is no small commitment. Many dramas run 24-hour episodes per season, leaving little room for other projects. Still, many actors who (…)

NCIS Co-Host Steven D. Binder didn’t rule out Harmon returning to the original series, which is now entering its 21st season, telling TVLine in April, “Of course the door is always open. But when we bring him back, we’re not doing it for two minutes. It has to be something special.”

The upcoming prequel starring Austin Stowell as the title character, will begin in 1991 and will follow the life of young Leroy Jethro Gibbs. According to the official synopsis, NCIS: Origins takes viewers with Gibbs as he “begins his career as a rookie special agent at the newly established NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he carves out a place for himself among a determined, diverse team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.”

NCIS: Origins Premieres on CBS on Monday, October 14 at 10:00 PM ET.