Why Mark Harmon is back for Gibbs’ prequel, but not NCIS Season 22

Mark Harmon was the face of the NCIS franchise for nearly two decades before outlasting the original series, and now he’s set to reprise his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS: Origins. The upcoming NCIS The prequel series premieres on Monday, October 14 at 9pm ET on CBS. it Revolves around Gibbs’ early days with the United States Naval Investigative Service (NIS), The precursor to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). That’s why you really don’t have to watch the original NCIS Show to understand NCIS: Origins.

Austin Stowell is headlining the NCIS: Origins Cast as a younger version of Gibbs. The result will be Take place in the early 1990s and begin with Gibbs just starting his career as a special agent at the NIS Camp Pendleton office. except Gibbs, NCIS Fans will recognize one more name in the upcoming CBS military police procedural show – Mike Franks. Franks, played by Moses Watson in the original series, was Gibbs’ mentor who appeared in 20 episodes of NCIS. Now, viewers will learn more about the origins of Gibbs and Franks’ relationship, and Harmon will be along for the ride.

NCIS: Origins needs more Mark Harmon gigs than NCIS Season 22

NCIS is doing fine without Gibbs

Mark Harmon is returning for NCIS: Origins And not NCIS For one important reason – the prequel needs the actor much more than the original series with 20-plus seasons. Obviously, Harmon’s Gibbs is a significant part of NCISHis story as he appeared in over 430 episodes. However, just because Gibbs played a large role in the success of the main show does not mean that he is the only reason why it was triumphant. Harmon has been gone for over three seasons and NCIS is still performing well Without him. NCIS continues to produce great ratings for CBS, meaning it doesn’t need Gibbs to save it from cancellation.

Meanwhile, NCIS: Origins is an entirely new series that must find a way to appeal to audiences and entice them to watch. The NCIS Title alone will bring some fans. However, by including Harmon, even more people will be intrigued about the prequel. Harmon’s name holds a lot of weight in these NCIS franchise, And the actor, even if only for one episode, should do wonders for the ratings of the upcoming show. CBS is seemingly pulling out all the stops to guarantee NCIS: Originss success, especially after the cancellation of NCIS: Hawaii.

NCIS: Origins offers Mark Harmon a very different role as an NCIS returnee

Harmon’s role is mostly narrative

CBS previously announced that Mark Harmon would serve as the narrator for NCIS: Origins. However, it wasn’t until a few weeks before its premiere that one of the upcoming series’ showrunners, David J. North, revealed The actor would physically appear in the prequel’s pilot episode. According to TVLineNorth explained:

“This was a discussion between Mark [Harmon]himself, and [co-showrunner] Gina Montreal. I hope the audience will be excited to see him after so many years… We are focusing on him to tell the story of 1991. As far as Mark reappears, we are open to anything.”

So, Harmon will not only reprise his role as Gibbs in the series premiere NCIS: OriginsBut the door is also open for him to return on screen in future episodes. Harmon’s presence will be felt throughout the military police procedural show as the narrator. But seeing the actor versus hearing him are two very different things.

Harmon’s role in NCIS: Origins is minimal compared to a full-blown return in NCIS As his brief cameo will presumably only establish the framing device of his story as the older version of Gibbs. As a result, Harmon’s commitment to the prequel show is far less time-consuming compared to physically reprising his role in NCIS. So, it makes sense what Harmon is returning for NCIS: Origins And not NCIS Season 22.

Why Mark Harmon should still return to NCIS eventually

Harmon needs to be featured in the NCIS series finale

Although Mark Harmon is not scheduled to return to NCIS Any time soon, that doesn’t mean he never should or won’t. As mentioned above, the US NCIS The original series of the​​​​​​franchise is fine without Harmon’s Gibbs. However, given the character’s importance in the show, To see Gibbs would be a pleasure and a necessity When it eventually comes to an end.

It’s unclear when CBS will finally cancel NCISBut when the network does, Harmon has to be there to watch the military police procedural series. Gibbs was an integral part of NCIS Since the beginning, and it wouldn’t feel right to end the show without him there. Of course, Harmon is always welcome to return in any future episodes. But if the actor can’t or the writers don’t see a way to bring Gibbs back before the end, Harmon still needs to reprise his role during the NCIS series finale, No matter how short or long his special appearance is.

Will Mark Harmon ever return as Gibbs in the future of NCIS?

Harmon is unsure if he will return to NCIS

The good news is that Mark Harmon is not reluctant to return to NCIS. As of writing this article, There are no plans for Harmon to reprise his role as Gibbs in season 22 or beyond. Although a return is not scheduled for the near future, the door is open and Harmon has made it clear that he is not yet sure if he will return to the original NCIS TV show. However, according to the actor’s involvement with the prequel, it is evident that Harmon would return if the producers asked and if his schedule allowed him to. In July 2024, Harmon said TVLine:

“I asked [about returning to NCIS] A lot… I’ve always let the writers do what they want to do. Right away, like a phone call…? Not that I’m aware of. I don’t know [if I’ll be back for the eventual series finale]. I think that he is not yet in the stream.”

Harmon’s final appearance as Gibbs in NCIS (except for flashbacks or stock footage) came during season 19, Episode 4, “Great Wide Open.” The NCIS Character didn’t retreat in his final hours, meaning it’s easier to find a reason why Gibbs returns. Unfortunately, only time will tell if Harmon is part of those NCIS Series finale or any episodes before. Harmon will reprise his iconic role in the NCIS: Origins premiere, however, and he will continue to narrate the prequel (presumably) as long as it runs on CBS.

Source: TVLine