Yep, you read that right. Mark Harmon is officially returning to the “NCIS” universe for a special crossover event with “NCIS: Origins” on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. And letâs be real; fans have been waiting for this moment for years. Ever since he left the main show in 2021 after 18 seasons as special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Harmonâs making his first on-screen appearance since then, and honestly, the excitement is palpable.
Hereâs the scoop, according to a press release. The crossover starts in the â90s with a younger Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, and his NIS team investigating the death of a naval officer in a small town. Fast-forward to the present day, and that same case mysteriously reopens, pulling the original “NCIS” crew back into the mix. CBS is even shifting the schedule for this, with “NCIS: Origins” airing first at 8:00 p.m. ET, followed by “NCIS” at 9:00 p.m. ET. Itâs the perfect way to link past and present, and honestly, it feels like fan service done right.
Gibbs Isnât Just Back; Heâs Evolved
Even though Harmon left the main series, heâs never really left the “NCIS” world. Heâs still an executive producer on both shows and narrates every episode of “Origins.” Plus, he made a cameo during the series premiere last year (2024), reminding everyone that Gibbs is still very much in the picture.
According to Variety, co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal teased just enough to get fans buzzing: âFour years ago, Gibbs disappeared to Alaska to live a life of solitude… We donât want to give too much away, but letâs just say Gibbs is no longer alone.â Okay, now weâre dying to know⦠whoâs with him? Whatâs he been up to? The suspense is real.
Harmon also explained why he decided to step back into Gibbsâ shoes: âIâm very proud of the storytelling that David and Gina are doing on âOriginsâ…. They continue to push boundaries and dive deeper into the charactersâ 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.â (Variety)Â
Yep, this isnât just a nostalgic cameo; itâs a meaningful return. And thatâs exactly the kind of storytelling fans have been craving.
Getty (Alberto E. Rodriguez)What Fans Can Expect
The crossover promises a mystery that spans decades, mixing the thrill of Gibbsâ early career with the tension of the present day. Younger Gibbs and his team will chase down leads from the â90s while the modern “NCIS” crew revisits the same case, making for some seriously satisfying twists.
Longtime fans will love seeing Harmon back in action. But new viewers might just get hooked on “Origins” along the way. Either way, this is shaping up to be a canât-miss TV moment. Gibbs is back, and it seems like heâs ready to remind us exactly why heâs one of the most iconic characters on TV.
Catch “NCIS” and “NCIS: Origins” Tuesdays on CBS, streaming the next day on Paramount+. And donât miss this epic Gibbs crossover on November 11!
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