After his confirmed appearance in the pilot, Mark Harmon's role in NCIS: Origins gets expanded per a new report. It has been years since Harmon's Leroy Jethro Gibbs retired in Naktok Bay, Alaska, and until now, he hasn't returned to Washington DC, even when Ducky Mallard died. While it's uncertain when he will return to Navy Yard, he is set for a franchise comeback, as he narrates the events of NCIS: Origins, a new prequel spinoff tackling the character's earliest days with NIS. On top of that, Harmon is also set to make a physical appearance in the pilot.
Not long after that was announced, however, a new report from TV Line reveals that Harmon "will occasionally appear on-screen, as the older Gibbs relays this story of his NIS beginnings." The news comes as part of the outlet's extensive feature for the new show, which includes an interview with the co-showrunner David J. North. This means that aside from his pilot return, Harmon will continue to appear. No additional information is revealed about the matter, including when Harmon will pop back up after his initial cameo.
How Harmon’s NCIS: Origins Appearances Impact His Chances Of Returning To Other Franchise Shows
Harmon Can Also Appear In NCIS And NCIS: Tony & Ziva
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NCIS: Origins recasts young Gibbs with Austin Stowell. Previously, Sean and Mark Harmon played the character during the flagship's flashback scenes. This time, however, changing actors was inevitable, considering the story demands of the prequel. While it has yet to be revealed how frequently Harmon will appear in NCIS: Origins
Considering Gibbs' absence during Ducky's tribute episode, it's difficult to find any other reason for his return. At least with NCIS: Origins, the character does not need to leave Alaska while he tells the story of his origins in the prequel. Things are a bit different for NCIS: Tony & Ziva, however. Given Gibbs' last encounter with Ziva, it's safe to say that he will be more than willing to come out of retirement if he learns that she and her family are in danger. That said, it will all depend on whether the offshoot's story will even involve him.
Our Take On Mark Harmon’s Upcoming Return As Gibbs In NCIS: Origins
NCIS: Origins Shouldn't Forget That Its Main Gibbs Is Still Austin Stowell's Character
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It's no secret that there has been pushback on NCIS: Origins because Gibbs' story was already extensively tackled in his 19 years in the main series. However, the creatives behind the project promise that this is a narrative that is worth telling, and it will reveal new details about the character. Bringing in Gibbs for the premiere is somewhat unsurprising. CBS needs to establish his connection with the project to convince people who are skeptical of it to at least check out the series.
Harmon's return to NCIS is exciting, especially since he has a long history with the franchise. However, NCIS: Origins needs to be careful not to over-rely on its cameos to draw people in. At the end of the day, the prequel's lead is Stowell's version. The majority of its focus should be on establishing his iteration.
Source: TV Line
