Mark Harmon is making a comeback in the long-running CBS series NCIS: Origins, which is scheduled to premiere on November 11.
Mark Harmon has returned to his case. For a unique crossover event between the venerable procedural and its prequel series NCIS: Origins, the former cast member of the CBS drama, who left the show in 2021 after 18 seasons, will return to his role as special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
According to a press release, a young Leroy (portrayed by Austin Stowell) and his coworkers will “investigate the small-town death of a naval officer in the ‘90s” on Origins in the back-to-back episodes that premiere on Veterans Day on November 11. The case will then be "unexpectedly re-opened" in the present day on NCIS, where the story will continue.
Mark, 74, has not completely vanished from the team despite his four-year sabbatical. In addition to narrating each episode of Origins, where he made a fleeting cameo during its 2024 series debut, he still serves as executive producer on both shows.
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Regarding the Freaky Friday star's choice to return to Leroy's role, he gave credit to co-showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North for making him an irresistible offer.
“I’m very proud of the storytelling that David and Gina are doing on Origins,” Mark stated in a statement on October 28. “They continue to push boundaries and dive deeper into the characters’ backstories. They came to me with an idea for Gibbs that I liked, and it seemed like a good time to check in with him. I hope fans enjoy it.”
In fact, when the adored character makes a comeback on screen, David and Gina hinted that there would be at least one thrilling development in Leroy's career.
“Four years ago, Gibbs disappeared to Alaska to live a life of solitude,” in the media's release, they stated. “We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say Gibbs is no longer alone.”
