Mark Harmon’s Shocking NCIS Future: Will He Ever Return to the Main Series?

For three seasons now, NCIS has been without Jethro Gibbs following Mark Harmon’s departure in Season 19. This fall, Harmon will return to the NCIS universe, but not in the traditional way fans are used to seeing him. He will narrate NCIS: Origins, a new series on CBS that explores the story of a young Gibbs when he first joined NCIS. With Gibbs’ exit left open-ended, there’s always been speculation about if or when he might return. During this year’s TCA summer press tour, Harmon addressed some of these questions (via TV Line). He reflected on leaving the long-running series and whether he had considered returning.

“It wasn’t so much a decision to leave, but the right timing to push away a little bit,” Harmon explained. In early episodes of Season 19, Gibbs announced that he wouldn’t be returning to DC with the rest of the team after a case in Alaska. “I was thrilled with the storyline they came up with and how they handled the character,” Harmon said, appreciating how Gibbs’ departure was written. He noted that the show had continued on without Gibbs, adding, “and the show continued on.”

Will Gibbs Ever Appear on ‘NCIS’ in the Future?

Since Gibbs left the team, the show has moved forward without him, offering few updates on his activities. The most recent update came in the form of a card sent to McGee from Alaska, featuring a photo of Gibbs, McGee, and Ducky, during David McCallum’s farewell episode. Even during the 1000th episode celebration of NCIS, Gibbs did not make an appearance. “I have been asked that a lot…,” Harmon said when asked if Gibbs might return. “I’ve always let the writers do what they want to do,” he added, leaving the door open for the character’s future.

As NCIS returns for Season 22 this fall, it will mark the fourth year without Gibbs. When asked if he’d been contacted about reprising his role in the three years since leaving, Harmon responded, “Directly, like a phone call…? Not that I’m aware of.” The show seems poised to continue indefinitely, but would Harmon return for a series finale? “I don’t know,” he admitted. “It’s about feeling like you’re fulfilled with a role, or complete with a role,” he concluded.

NCIS returns on October 14 at 8:00 PM ET before moving to its regular 9:00 PM timeslot on October 21. Catch up on Paramount+. NCIS: Origins will also premiere on October 14.