Mark Harmon, who portrayed Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS for nearly two decades, believed he had closed the door on the role when he quietly stepped away from the series in 2021. At the time, Harmon cited a desire to pursue other projects and enjoy retirement after years of leading the long-running procedural. Fans mourned his exit, thinking it was the definitive end of Gibbs’ story.

However, recent developments have reignited hope and excitement among the NCIS fanbase. CBS has confirmed that Harmon will narrate and executive produce a new spinoff titled NCIS: Origins, which will explore the early days of Gibbs’ career in the 1990s. Though Harmon won’t appear on screen, his voice and creative vision will shape the project, creating a direct link to the character he made iconic.

The twist has taken many fans by surprise, especially since Harmon had previously expressed no interest in returning to the NCIS universe. But the opportunity to revisit Gibbs’ backstory and mentor a younger version of the character through narration proved too compelling to pass up. Social media has since exploded with speculation and nostalgia-fueled excitement.

While the future of Harmon’s on-screen return remains uncertain, his involvement in NCIS: Origins signals a deeper creative engagement than many expected. For fans who missed his presence, this twist offers a new way to reconnect with Gibbs—if not in body, then certainly in spirit.