What’s the Real Reason Mark Harmon Earned the ‘Challenging’ Role of Gibbs, as Revealed by NCIS Boss?

In honor of the 20th anniversary of NCIS, the show’s executives looked back on the early days and the process of casting the iconic role of Gibbs, a character synonymous with Mark Harmon.

Gibbs made his first appearance as the Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Major Case Response Team in the pilot episode of the procedural. He led the team in handling the Navy’s most serious criminal cases and high-stakes stand-offs, establishing himself as a strong commander and a father figure to fellow agents, particularly Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), and quickly becoming a fan favorite.

Back in 2003, show executives faced the “challenging” task of casting the pivotal role, with several top-tier Hollywood actors under consideration. Casting director Susan Bluestein admitted that it was a challenging decision, stating, “Casting was very difficult.” She had previously cast Mark Harmon as John Dillinger in a movie of the week in 1991 and was already considering him for the role. “I always thought Mark had the gravitas for this character,” she said.

Peter Golden, an executive at CBS, recounted the casting process and mentioned that Susan suggested Mark Harmon for the role. The plan was to make an offer to Mark Harmon, but if he declined, they would explore other options. Fortunately, Mark Harmon met with Don Bellisario, the show’s creator, and they connected well, leading to Mark’s agreement to take on the role, which Peter described as a significant moment for the show.

While Harrison Ford was a name that came up when considering who could play Gibbs, it never progressed beyond a mere suggestion, according to executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson.

Casting director Susan Bluestein also shared some of the other actors they had contemplated, including Alec Baldwin, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Kevin Bacon, Tom Berenger, Val Kilmer, Charlie Sheen, Aidan Quinn, and Patrick Swayze. However, they clarified that no offers were made to these actors; it was part of the casting exploration process.

Mark Harmon eventually departed from the role in season 19, but his portrayal of Gibbs left an enduring impact on dedicated fans, who were deeply moved during his farewell episode, “Great Wide Open.” Mark’s embodiment of Gibbs has become an integral part of NCIS’s legacy.