With NCIS: Origins just a little under a month from its debut, it is now confirmed that Mark Harmon will portray Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the NCIS prequel series. The franchise alum last portrayed the iconic character in 2021, departing the show with season 19, episode 4, “Great Wide Open”. The world of the hit crime procedural drama is now to return, with the NCIS: Origins prequel expected to chronicle the early years of Gibbs’ investigative career, with actor Austin Stowell taking on the role and Harmon serving as the series’ narrator and as an executive producer.
Deadline now reports that Harmon is reprising his role as Gibbs on screen in NCIS: Origins, although only briefly in the show’s premiere episode. In a recent interview with reporters as the show’s premiere approaches, co-showrunner David J. North confirms the return, though he doesn’t offer up any details regarding the Harmon scenes in question. The publication does describe Harmon’s appearance as a “cameo.” Read North’s comment below:
“That was a discussion between Mark, myself and Gina Monreal. I hope the audience will be excited to see him after so many years.”
As for whether any future Harmon cameos are on the cards, North makes clear that nothing is yet set in stone, though he’s open to the possibility:
“We are focusing on him telling the story of 1991. As far as Mark appearing again, we are open to anything.”
What Harmon’s Return Means For NCIS: Origins
How Harmon Could Be Incorporated Into The Premiere
It’s not yet clear how Harmon’s return as Gibbs will be incorporated into the NCIS: Origins premiere, but it will likely be as part of a narrative framing device relatively early on in the episode. Since Harmon is narrating the events of the show, the premiere could open by establishing who he’s recounting these events to and under what circumstances. It’s possible, for example, that Origins will pick up with Gibbs still in Alaska after the events of his season 19 NCIS exit, which saw him leave law enforcement for good.
While details regarding Harmon’s return in Origins haven’t yet been revealed, beyond the fact that it’s brief, the fact that he’s returning at all does suggest that this prequel won’t be straying too far from NCIS and what made that show great. It probably won’t pave the way for any other original stars to appear in the NCIS: Origins cast, however. NCIS is set to return for season 22 next month and a Tony and Ziva spinoff is also on the horizon, meaning those looking for more of the show’s other characters certainly won’t be out of luck.
Our Take On Harmon’s NCIS: Origins Cameo
How It Could Help The Prequel Start On The Right Foot
NCIS has remained popular throughout its run and that is largely due to the lead characters and the actors who play them. Harmon played Gibbs for 18 years on the mothership show, and it will be an adjustment for audiences to see Stowell taking on this iconic character.
Harmon’s cameo, however, could end up serving as a passing of the torch moment, one that will potentially ease the transition between two different actors’ takes on the same character. Many questions still remain about NCIS: Origins, but the premiere is evidently an episode to look forward to.