First Look At Mark Harmon’s Long-Awaited NCIS Return Has Finally Arrived
Mark Harmon is finally stepping back in front of the camera for the NCIS franchise, and fans now have their first look at his return. After spending the first two seasons of NCIS: Origins as the show’s narrator and executive producer, Harmon is set to take on a much bigger on-screen role when the series returns for its third season.
The first preview comes from a behind-the-scenes table read shared by the production, giving fans an early glimpse of Harmon reuniting with the cast. While the footage does not reveal any major story details, it has already sparked plenty of excitement about what could be one of the biggest chapters in the franchise’s history.
NCIS: Origins takes viewers back to 1991 and follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, during the beginning of his career as a special agent. The series explores how Gibbs became the investigator fans came to know over the years while working under veteran agent Mike Franks, played by Kyle Schmid. At the same time, the show looks at how Gibbs struggles to move forward after the heartbreaking loss of his wife and daughter.
The cast also includes Mariel Molino as Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez, Tyla Abercrumbie as Mary Jo Hayes, Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland, and Caleb Foote as Bernard. Season 3 is expected to continue exploring Gibbs’ early years while also connecting more directly to the present-day NCIS timeline.
According to information released by CBS, Harmon’s return will be much more than a brief appearance. Instead, he is expected to have a season-long story arc. The new storyline reportedly revolves around a modern-day investigation that reopens an old case connected to Gibbs’ past. As the mystery unfolds, the events of the present will reportedly tie directly into the story being told in NCIS: Origins.
Another familiar face joining the series is Wilmer Valderrama, who will reprise his role as Special Agent Nick Torres. Although Torres exists in the modern timeline while NCIS: Origins is set decades earlier, fans believe the investigation could create meaningful links between the two eras. Exactly how the series plans to connect those timelines remains a mystery, but the casting announcement has already fueled speculation about where the story is heading.
The excitement does not stop there. Michael Weatherly is also returning to the flagship NCIS series as Tony DiNozzo. With both Harmon and Weatherly back in major roles across the franchise, many viewers are wondering if CBS is quietly setting up a larger crossover involving multiple NCIS shows.
At this point, no crossover has been officially confirmed. However, the combination of Harmon’s expanded role, Valderrama’s appearance in Origins, and Weatherly’s return has made the possibility feel more realistic than ever. Fans have already started sharing theories online about how these different storylines could eventually come together.
Are you looking forward to seeing Gibbs back?
CBS has not announced an exact premiere date for NCIS: Origins season 3, but the network has confirmed that the series will return during the fall 2026 television season. Until then, the first behind-the-scenes look at Mark Harmon’s return is giving longtime NCIS fans plenty of reasons to be excited about what could be one of the franchise’s biggest seasons yet.
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