Will Gibbs Ever Return to ‘NCIS’? Mark Harmon Gives an Update
Mark Harmon‘s Leroy Jethro Gibbs is still part of the NCIS universe, as he’s set to narrate the upcoming NCIS: Origins prequel series, but he hasn’t been seen on screen since early Season 19 in 2021.
Appearing at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Saturday, July 13, Harmon told the panel of his NCIS exit, “It wasn’t so much a decision to leave, but the right timing to push away a little bit.” (per TVLine).
“I was thrilled with the storyline they came up with and how they handled the character,” he continued. “And the show continued on.”
When fans of the CBS military police procedural last saw Harmon’s Gibbs, he had informed NCIS Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee that he would not be returning to D.C. but would stay put in Alaska, where he’d finally found peace after his family’s death. His final appearance came in the 2021 episode “Great Wide Open.”
The show hasn’t revealed many updates on Gibbs’ whereabouts since then, though in the most recent season, McGee received an envelope from Southwest Alaska, which included a polaroid of Gibbs, McGee, and Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (played by the late David McCallum). So, all signs point to Gibbs still living in Alaska, at least as of Season 21.
While Harmon remains an executive producer on NCIS, he did not appear in the McCallum tribute episode or the franchise’s milestone 1,000th episode, which aired in April.
When asked what it would take to get Harmon back on the show, the actor said, “I have been asked that a lot. [But] I’ve always let the writers do what they want to do.”
After the panel, Harmon was asked if the show’s producers had ever invited him back over the past three years. “Directly, like a phone call…? Not that I’m aware of,” he answered.
TVLine then asked him if he’d consider returning for NCIS’ eventual series finale, whenever that may be. “I don’t know,” he stated. “It’s really about feeling like you’re fulfilled with a role, or complete with a role.”
He added, “I don’t think [Gibbs] is still standing in the stream in Alaska.”
NCIS co-showrunner Steven D. Binder previously told TVLine that “the door is always open” for Harmon to return, adding, “when we bring him back, we’re not going to bring him back for two minutes… It’s got to be something special.”
NCIS, Season 22, Mondays This Fall, 9/8c, CBS
NCIS: Origins premiere, September 1, 10/9c, CBS
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R
It still hurts when I watch I watch NCIS without Mark Harmon! I would love to see him on NCIS again and am super excited for NCIS Origins!
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B
Mark Harmon will always be a class act. Sean too. Happy Belated Birthday to my dear friend! You're "Forever" on my mind and in my heart. Loving you through it all and have prayerful hope you will find your dreams fulfilled in your retirement One tidbit here ..... listen to Your Heart and make it happen. You deserve every good memory. All you have to do is take the opportunity NOW to regroup and take time to Love Now Forever.
Family loves you. Remember that little question and life goal .... do it now and prove to the world the glitz and glamour have no rank among the lovers! Your wife has a gift in you and is a gift from our greatest Lover. Make your Best Life Happen. 😇From a loving heart to a beloved friend.
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J
Nice to hear Mark Harmon wll be back in some capacity.
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R
Sorry. No more Gibbs please. Moved on. Not interested in the Origins show push either. Done with Gibbs. Would rather see Abby. Let Harmon go onto Peacock+ Instead instead of Ziva.
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L
Mark you did me wrong I had a Christmas gift for you I didn't get to see you because of my stepchilden I like to know who saw you and said what you didn't have the guts to face me
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B
Sounds like you are a victim of scammers posing as Mark Harmon. Mark is still married to Pam.
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R
Only come back if Abby comes back. Too bad Gary is leaving. The show went on fine. I do like Mark but he left. Let’s move on
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R
AMEN Ridiculous! I am so tired of hearing about Gibbs, NCIS anything. They could stop all the NCIS junk and I would celebrate. To have been a fan for so many years and all CBS did was cancel all the spin-offs with no advance notice to fans and in some cases to the performers portraying characters on the show. Very unbecoming behavior. CBS and powers that be have shown no consideration to fans or people who work for them. The same could be said for Gibbs(Mark Harmon). Leave Gibbs/Harmon alone and out of NCIS family the way he wants it apparently, except for producing. NCIS, CBS and Mark Harmon have lost me completely as a fan forever.
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