NCIS Universe Reunites: Mark Harmon Returns as Gibbs in Epic Origins Crossover on November 11

The NCIS franchise is pulling out all the stops for a long-awaited reunion, with Mark Harmon reprising his iconic role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in a special two-part crossover event between NCIS and the prequel NCIS: Origins. Announced on October 28, 2025, the episode, airing November 11 on CBS, marks Gibbs’ first appearance in four years since his emotional exit in Season 19’s 2022 finale. Fans, who have clamored for the stoic special agent’s return, can rejoice—but it’s a brief one, as Harmon makes a “one-night-only” cameo that ties the past and present in unexpected ways.

The crossover, titled “The Past Is Prologue,” begins with NCIS: Origins—the 2025 prequel starring Austin Stowell as a young Gibbs in the 1990s. The episode opens with a small-town murder of a naval officer in rural Pennsylvania, a case that tests the rookie team’s grit and foreshadows Gibbs’ legendary instincts. As the investigation unfolds, a chilling discovery reopens the cold case in the present day on NCIS, pulling the current team—led by Gary Cole’s Alden Parker—into a web of buried secrets. Gibbs, who vanished to Alaska in 2022 seeking solitude after a life of loss, reemerges not alone, but with a mysterious companion that hints at personal growth and unresolved demons.

Mark Harmon is returning as Gibbs for 'NCIS: Origins' crossover event

Showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal teased the event in a joint statement: “Four years ago, Gibbs disappeared to Alaska to live a life of solitude. We know how much fans have missed seeing Mark and have wondered what Gibbs is up to today. Well, on Nov. 11, we’re so excited to announce that Mark Harmon will return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the Origins hour of the NCIS crossover event. We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say Gibbs is no longer alone.” The duo, who helmed NCIS: Origins since its fall 2025 launch, emphasized the emotional depth: “It’s a full-circle moment that honors Gibbs’ legacy while pushing the franchise forward.”

Harmon, 74, expressed enthusiasm in a rare comment: “I’m very proud of the storytelling that David and Gina are doing on Origins. They continue to push boundaries and dive deeper into the characters’ backstories. They came to me with an idea for Gibbs that I liked, and it seemed like a good time to check in with him. I hope fans enjoy it.” His return quells fears of a permanent exit, though he clarified it’s “brief but meaningful,” avoiding any “softening” of the rule-bending Marine.

The special swaps time slots for seamless viewing: NCIS: Origins at 9 p.m. ET, followed by NCIS at 10 p.m., ensuring the narrative flows chronologically. Early buzz from screeners praises Harmon’s chemistry with the young Gibbs, blending nostalgia with fresh intrigue. With NCIS averaging 7 million viewers weekly and Origins pulling 5.5 million, the event could be a ratings juggernaut.

For fans, it’s a balm after Gibbs’ abrupt 2022 farewell. “Gibbs is NCIS,” tweeted a viewer, echoing 2.8 million #GibbsReturn posts. As the crossover looms, one thing’s clear: the Marine’s no longer alone, and neither are we.