Mark Harmon Breaks His Silence on Leaving Gibbs Behind and His Shocking Return for ‘NCIS: Origins’!

Mark Harmon, who portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS for 18 seasons, departed from the show in October 2021. While he hasn’t completely ruled out a return, he’s uncertain if it will happen. In a recent interview, Harmon jokingly mentioned that after switching agents, he’s unsure if he’s received a call about coming back. On a more serious note, he shared with Parade that his departure was more about timing than a final decision to leave. Harmon expressed satisfaction with how Gibbs’ storyline was wrapped up and is thankful the show continues to thrive.

Harmon is now involved in a new project, NCIS: Origins, where he serves as an executive producer and narrator. The series idea came from his son, Sean Harmon, while the narration concept was suggested by showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, both of whom Harmon has worked with closely over the years. Harmon expressed his excitement for the series, noting it will be different from the original NCIS and hinted that Mike Franks (played by Kyle Schmid) will have a significant role.

Despite his executive producer role, Harmon is taking a more hands-off approach, allowing North and Monreal to lead the show. He enjoys reconnecting with the cast and crew, especially his son, and finds it fun to be part of the project, even if from a distance.

Regarding Gibbs, Harmon humorously commented that he doesn’t believe the character is still “standing in the stream in Alaska,” leaving fans to wonder about Gibbs’ current whereabouts.