Is Mark Harmon Returning to NCIS?
Mark Harmon, renowned for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the television series NCIS, continues to play a significant part in the CBS drama despite no longer being a series regular. His return to the show as Gibbs, the agency’s fearless leader, has been hotly anticipated by fans since he left DC for Alaska, marking the end of his almost 20-year tenure as a regular cast member.
Gibbs, a former Scout Sniper for the United States Marine Corps turned special agent leading a team for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), is known for his exceptional shooting skills and ability to handle violent conflicts. He often relies on the assistance of his team for technical forensics and background checks.
The possibility of Mark Harmon returning to NCIS was hinted at by Rocky Carroll, who portrays NCIS Director Leon Vance, during an interview with TV Insider in January 2023. Harmon played NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the show from seasons 1 through 19, serving as the moral compass of the team.
In Season 19, Episode 4, Gibbs chose to stay in Alaska instead of returning to Washington, D.C., and left NCIS. His decision came during a case he worked on with NCIS Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee. Gibbs mentioned to McGee that he would know when he found what he was looking for because “my gut is telling me I will know when I find it.” He expressed a sense of peace he hadn’t felt since the deaths of Shannon and Kelly and decided not to let it go, passing his NCIS position to McGee.
Mark Harmon left NCIS after 19 seasons to keep his career fresh, as suggested in a special featurette for the NCIS Season 19 DVD. Although Harmon served as an executive producer on the show from 2008 to 2021 and has not taken on any new acting roles since leaving NCIS, this might change.
The show’s executive producer, Steven D. Binder, hinted at the potential return of Gibbs in later seasons following Harmon’s departure in October 2021. Binder emphasized the importance of staying true to the characters and suggested that viewers should never rule out Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ return to the program, as they have seen over the years regarding Gibbs’ future.
Despite Harmon’s absence from NCIS, his former co-stars continue to remember him. Liza Lapira, who portrayed lawyer Michelle Lee during NCIS Seasons 4 and 6, reflected on her character’s revelation as a mole within the organization. She expressed her surprise at the twist, recalling her character’s brief stint as a member of the team before joining NCIS’s legal department and her intended role as Brian Dietzen’s love interest in the sixth season. Lapira received a call informing her of the storyline, which added an intriguing layer to her character’s journey.
