‘NCIS: Origins’ Marks First On-Screen Reunion of Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly in 10 Years

Some television partnerships truly define an era of a show. For ‘NCIS’, that partnership was between a gruff, silent leader and the wisecracking agent who spent years trying to impress him. Fans have eagerly awaited the moment when Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo would share the screen again.

That wait is nearly over. CBS has confirmed that Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly will reunite on screen in an upcoming episode of ‘NCIS: Origins’. The duo worked together on the flagship series for 13 seasons, and this new episode will be the first time they have shared a scene since Weatherly’s departure.

The reunion episode is set to air on Tuesday, October 20, on CBS and will be available for streaming on Paramount+. It is Season 3, Episode 3, titled ‘Return of the Mack’, and a first-look photo has already been released showing Harmon’s Gibbs, with a backpack slung over one shoulder, smiling at Weatherly’s suited DiNozzo in a corridor.

According to CBS, the reunion finds Gibbs returning to NCIS headquarters in Washington, D.C., to seek the assistance of the new director, Tony DiNozzo. The stakes are high: Gibbs was shot by unknown assailants in the season premiere of ‘Origins’ on October 6. This shift in roles is significant, as the agent who once took orders from Gibbs is now leading the agency.

Gibbs is also set to visit Woody, played by Bobby Moynihan, in the present day during Episode 2 to analyze a fingerprint he found on his neck during the premiere. The mystery is evidently serious, making the reunion more than just a nostalgic cameo; it provides both characters with a real case to tackle.

The last time Harmon and Weatherly appeared together was during Weatherly’s exit from ‘NCIS’ in the Season 13 finale. Since then, the franchise has undergone significant changes, but the bond between their characters remains one of its most cherished aspects. The reunion is being hailed as historic by various industry outlets.

Weatherly has returned as DiNozzo in the flagship series, starting with the Season 24 premiere on October 6, following the cancellation of ‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’ on Paramount+. In that series, Tony has been appointed director of NCIS, creating a neat symmetry with the ‘Origins’ episode, where Gibbs seeks his help.

Harmon, who also serves as an executive producer on ‘Origins’, appears in all episodes of the show’s third season. His role ties into a present-day mystery linked to his character’s past at Camp Pendleton in the 1990s. This structure allows the series to connect its prequel story with the modern timeline, using the older Gibbs as a bridge.

‘Origins’ follows a young Gibbs, portrayed by Austin Stowell, in the early 1990s, years before the events of ‘NCIS’, with Harmon narrating the series. The show also stars Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, Diany Rodriguez, and Caleb Foote. Having Harmon on screen in the present day adds a new dimension to the prequel.

Gibbs and DiNozzo were central to the franchise for over a decade, with their dynamic blending warmth, humor, and tension. The head slap, the rules, and the unspoken respect between the two characters became integral to the show’s identity. Seeing them together again taps into a deep reservoir of goodwill.

The reunion also reflects how the ‘NCIS’ universe has evolved. It now includes a flagship series, a prequel, and past spin-offs, with moments like this allowing the different branches to connect. For a franchise that has been on air for over two decades, the ability to surprise audiences is a remarkable achievement.

NEW SEASON PROMO for NCIS: Origins! #NCISOrigins https://t.co/w52pM2YAbU

— NCISverse Updates (@NCISVERSEUPDATE) September 8, 2026

CBS has released a teaser for the episode, promoted as a reunion that has been a decade in the making. Details about the case remain limited, and the network has not disclosed how long the two characters will share the screen. Fans will be on the lookout for callbacks to their earlier partnership, including the humor and tension that defined it.

With the episode just days away, anticipation is at an all-time high. Whether this reunion will be a one-time event or pave the way for more crossovers remains to be seen. For now, the focus is on a single hour of television that long-time viewers have been longing for.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!