Mark Harmon Is Returning To ‘NCIS: Origins’ In A Major Way

Fans of Leroy Jethro Gibbs have another reason to look forward to the next season of NCIS: Origins. CBS has confirmed that Mark Harmon will appear in every episode of Season 3, marking his biggest involvement in the prequel series since it debuted.

According to People, the announcement comes after the actor made only a handful of appearances during the show’s first two seasons. While he has served as narrator since the series premiered, viewers can now expect to see much more of the legendary agent as a new mystery unfolds throughout the season.

Gibbs takes on a larger role in the new season

According to CBS, Harmon will reprise the role of Gibbs in a present-day storyline connected to his time at Camp Pendleton during the 1990s. The mystery will develop across the entire season, adding a new layer to the prequel, which primarily follows a younger Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, during the early years of his career.

Harmon first appeared briefly in the series premiere before making another memorable appearance during the 2025 crossover between NCIS and NCIS: Origins. Those moments gave longtime viewers a glimpse into Gibbs’ life after leaving Alaska and hinted that the character’s story was far from over.

A familiar face returns to the franchise

For nearly two decades, Mark Harmon defined the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, becoming one of television’s most recognizable crime drama characters. Although he departed the original series in 2021, fans have continued to hope for more appearances. His expanded role in the prequel gives audiences another opportunity to reconnect with the character while learning more about his life beyond the events of the original show.

The return of NCIS: Origins’ Mark Harmon is expected to be one of the biggest highlights of the upcoming television season. As the present-day mystery unfolds alongside the younger Gibbs’ journey, viewers will gain fresh insight into one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. For longtime fans, NCIS: Origins, starring Mark Harmon, promises to deliver both nostalgia and new stories when Season 3 premieres this fall.