Mark Harmon‘s highly-anticipated return for the NCIS: Origins crossover episode got here as a shock for some viewers following his stunning exit.
In the course of the Tuesday, November 11, double function, Harmon, 74, reprised his function as Gibbs within the opening scene of the prequel, the place a present-day model of the character mirrored on his life whereas in a cabin with a canine.
“Three a long time, it's a hell of a very long time. That's how lengthy I put in on the job. Recently, I've been considering loads about these early days,” he mirrored. “Again after I was nonetheless chopping my tooth. Over time, the skin modifications however inside you continue to really feel all the identical factor.”
Gibbs continued: “A very long time in the past, I labored with a canine that had a primary and a final title. He's man, similar to you. I used to be fortunate. I labored with numerous good guys.”
The remainder of the episode adopted a case that the Origins staff tried to resolve — just for an harmless individual to take the blame. The conclusion haunted Gibbs and Franks (Kyle Schmid), which resurfaced in current day on NCIS.
After the falsely accused man broke out of jail, the NCIS staff needed to monitor him down and show his innocence with assist from just a few acquainted faces, together with current day Vera, Woody and Philip. The case was finally solved for Franks, who had died, and Gibbs, who wasn't seen once more within the crossover.
Mark Harmon, Austin Stowell. Cliff Lipson/CBS; Erik Voake/CBS
Harmon's return to the NCIS universe comes years after his exit.
“4 years in the past, Gibbs disappeared to Alaska to reside a lifetime of solitude,” government producers David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal stated in an announcement earlier than the episode aired. “We all know how a lot followers have missed seeing Mark and have puzzled what Gibbs is as much as at present. Properly, on November 11, we're so excited to announce that Mark Harmon will return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs within the Origins hour of the NCIS crossover occasion. We don't wish to give an excessive amount of away, however let's simply say Gibbs is not alone.”
Harmon additionally addressed his determination to return, saying, “I'm very pleased with the storytelling that David and Gina are doing on Origins. They proceed to push boundaries and dive deeper into the characters' backstories. They got here to me with an concept for Gibbs that I favored, and it appeared like time to examine in with him. I hope followers get pleasure from it.”
Harmon, who has remained an government producer of each exhibits and is a narrator on the NCIS prequel, hasn't performed Gibbs on display screen past Origins‘ 2024 pilot. The actor made his NCIS debut as Gibbs in 2003, occurring to play the lead function for 18 years. His remaining look aired in late 2021, and Harmon moved on to work on the prequel alongside his eldest son, Sean.
“It wasn't a lot a call to go away, however the proper timing to push away a little bit bit,” he stated on a July 2024 panel on the Tv Critics Affiliation summer time press tour about his departure. “I used to be thrilled with the story line they got here up with and the way they dealt with the character. And the present continued on.”
Harmon was requested whether or not he may see himself returning in an onscreen capability. “I've been requested that loads,” he famous. “[But] I've at all times let the writers do what they wish to do.”
NCIS: Origins airs on CBS Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
