Mark Harmon is stepping again into the position of Leroy Jethro Gibbs after his exit from NCIS.
CBS introduced on Tuesday, October 28, that Harmon, 74, will make a particular visitor look throughout the first crossover occasion between NCIS and NCIS: Origins. The 2 exhibits intersect on Tuesday, November 11, with youthful Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and the staff investigating the small-town dying of a naval officer within the '90s.
The case is then “unexpectedly reopened within the current day on NCIS,” in keeping with the official synopsis, which teased how “the decades-spanning thriller finds the air order for the sequence switching for one evening solely,” with NCIS: Origins shifting to the 8 p.m. ET slot whereas NCIS will comply with at 9 p.m. ET.
“4 years in the past, Gibbs disappeared to Alaska to reside a lifetime of solitude,” govt producers David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal stated in a press release. “We all know how a lot followers have missed seeing Mark and have puzzled what Gibbs is as much as right now. Effectively, 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 need to give an excessive amount of away, however let's simply say Gibbs is now not alone.”
Harmon additionally weighed in on 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 preferred, and it appeared like a great time to examine in with him. I hope followers get pleasure from it.”
Within the first have a look at Harmon's return, his present-day model of Gibbs is seen pouring himself a drink. This marks a uncommon return for Harmon, who has remained an govt producer of each exhibits and is a narrator on the NCIS prequel however hasn't performed Gibbs on display past the newer present's 2024 pilot.
Harmon made his NCIS debut as Gibbs in 2003 and performed the lead position for 18 years. His last look aired in late 2021, and Harmon moved on to work on the prequel alongside his eldest son, Sean.
“What has at all times drawn me right here is the character I play and to maintain it recent and to maintain it difficult,” Harmon stated about his exit in an August 2022 interview featured within the season 19 DVD launch. “Plot-wise, this character has taken the trail that it did. I'm not retired. The character resides in Alaska so far as I do know.”
After Harmon made the transfer behind the scenes, Stowell, 40, praised the actor for his assist in making a youthful model of Gibbs.
“It's a frightening process to recreate Gibbs and to return and attempt to inform this story whereas being respectful to the followers and to the story line of the unique present,” Stowell completely advised Us Weekly in November 2024. “We need to do our greatest job as actors, as artists, as writers and storytellers. Whereas there might be plenty of strain, Mark Harmon makes us really feel so comfy and he makes us really feel justified in our selections.”
Stowell revealed that it didn't take lengthy for Harmon to share his opinion on his efficiency.
“He gave it to me immediately within the room,” Stowell quipped. “He was vocal about — perhaps not what to do — however definitely [he was] guiding me extra when it comes to posture and mindset, issues that I've realized to inhabit all of the extra over time.”
Harmon, nonetheless, has “by no means given” Stowell any notes on his appearing. “He leads by instance. He's a man who I've realized much more about being a human being than being Gibbs,” Stowell continued. “He's been so welcoming — not simply to me and never simply to the remainder of the solid, however the entire crew. He's actually such a beautiful chief for us as a result of he makes everyone really feel so comfy.”
Monreal and North additionally spoke to Us about Harmon's response to the prequel.
“He's at all times actually accessible to us, which has simply been such a present all through this complete course of. He was there by our sides throughout casting and he involves desk reads,” Monreal shared with Us in April. “I get a beautiful alternative to be there with him when he data the voiceover, and he has made himself accessible to all of the actors. They adore him. He's at all times open for questions and conversations. So we've been so fortunate that he's been so current and supportive alongside the best way.”
North opened up about getting Harmon's stamp of approval on this chapter of Gibbs' journey, saying, “I'll be trustworthy, he's a troublesome man to win over. However as a result of he has a excessive bar of what he needs to perform — Gina and I are lucky sufficient to have labored exhausting and achieved plenty of work for him, and now we have gained him over up till this level and we love him.”
He added: “I believe the sensation is mutual, and this has simply been the best undertaking. I do know he says that for him and definitely for me. He's at all times a name away and he completely offers enter that impacts what you see on this present. However finally he stated, ‘You're the staff I wished and do what you do.'”
The crossover occasion will air on CBS Tuesday, November 11, beginning with an all-new episode of NCIS: Origins at 8 p.m. ET. The present will then proceed on NCIS at 9 p.m. ET. (Each episodes may also stream on Paramount+.)
