Mark Harmon Returns as Gibbs in ‘NCIS: Origins’ Season 3
Fans of ‘NCIS’ are in for a delightful surprise as Mark Harmon officially reprises his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The actor is set to return to the character that made him a household name in crime drama, with an exciting storyline lined up for the third season of CBS’ ‘NCIS: Origins.’
As reported by Variety, Harmon will feature in every episode of Season 3, which will weave a season-long narrative connecting Gibbs’ current life with pivotal moments from his past. CBS has disclosed that this new arc will involve “a present-day mystery tied to his ‘90s Camp Pendleton days in an action-packed story that unfolds all season long.”
This marks Harmon’s first significant on-screen appearance as Gibbs since he departed from the original ‘NCIS’ series in 2021. While he has stayed involved with the franchise through narration and production roles, fans have eagerly anticipated his full return as the beloved character.
Currently, Harmon narrates each episode of ‘NCIS: Origins’ as an older Gibbs and serves as an executive producer for the series. He made brief appearances as Gibbs in the ‘NCIS: Origins’ pilot and a special crossover episode with ‘NCIS’ that aired in 2025, but those roles were minor compared to what is expected in Season 3.
Harmon first introduced Gibbs to audiences when ‘NCIS’ debuted, becoming the face of the franchise over 18 seasons before stepping away during Season 19. His exit marked a significant change for the series, yet Gibbs remains one of the most cherished characters in the ‘NCIS’ universe.
‘NCIS: Origins’ delves into Gibbs’ formative years, showcasing his early career before he became the seasoned team leader fans recognize from the original series. The show features Austin Stowell as a younger Gibbs during his time at Camp Pendleton.
The prequel also stars Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, Diany Rodriguez, and Caleb Foote, focusing on Gibbs’ initial experiences as an investigator and the events that shaped him into the agent fans adore.
Season 3 will further expand the vast ‘NCIS’ franchise, which remains one of CBS’ most successful television brands. In addition to the original ‘NCIS’ and ‘NCIS: Origins,’ the network has produced shows like ‘NCIS: Sydney’ and is currently developing ‘NCIS: New York’ featuring LL Cool J and Scott Caan.
Over the years, the franchise has expanded with multiple spinoffs, including ‘NCIS: Los Angeles,’ ‘NCIS: New Orleans,’ ‘NCIS: Hawaiʻi,’ and Paramount+’s ‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva.’
Harmon continues to play a vital role behind the scenes of ‘NCIS: Origins,’ serving as an executive producer alongside his son Sean Harmon, David J. North, Michele Greco, and Eric Christian Olsen. CBS Studios is responsible for producing the show.
With Gibbs returning for a full season-long storyline, ‘NCIS: Origins’ Season 3 is poised to be a must-watch for dedicated fans. The upcoming episodes will provide another opportunity to witness the character who played a pivotal role in making ‘NCIS’ one of television’s most successful franchises.
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