Mark Harmon to Narrate NCIS: Origins

Mark Harmon's Return to NCIS Universe

Mark Harmon is officially returning to the NCIS universe, taking on the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the leader of the team of investigators for the titular naval agency. He led the cast of the CBS police procedural and carried on the role from its original show, JAG. Harmon ultimately departed NCIS in season 19, with Gary Cole's Alden Parker filling in his role.

Mark Harmon as Leroy Gibbs bleeding in NCIS

Just over two years after his emotional exit, Deadline has brought word that Harmon is now set to return to the NCIS universe with a new spinoff show titled Origins. Subtitled Origins, the title will act as a prequel exploring Gibbs' early days with the agency in the '90s, having been freshly appointed a special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton alongside agency legend Mike Franks.

Mark Harmon in NCIS

Harmon will narrate the show and executive produce with his son Sean Harmon, who played a younger version of Gibbs in flashbacks, though will not be reprising the role. Veteran show writers David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal are co-writing the premiere and co-showrun the project, with the former also continuing as co-showrunner on the main NCIS with Steven D. Binder.

Gibbs looking over McGee's shoulder in NCIS.

Significance of NCIS: Origins

Harmon's return to NCIS has been something longtime fans of the show have held out hope for since his initial exit, with the star himself even expressing being open to the possibility should the story make sense. Though much of the mainline show has already explored his past, a prequel set in his first days with the agency does open the door to further fleshing out the character and set him up to become the Gibbs audiences know.

NCIS Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs Harmon Addresses Series departure

Furthermore, Harmon being back in any capacity creates the possibility for Harmon to make guest or recurring appearances in NCIS or its various spinoffs. The prequel setting of the show could prove to be a big hit given CBS' prior success with such a format in Young Sheldon, a prequel to The Big Bang Theory, exploring the formative years of Jim Parsons' titular character.

Samantha Ryan looking at a computer while Gibbs stands behind her.

With Parsons' exit having been one of the factors behind Big Bang Theory's initial conclusion, Harmon's similarly notable departure and subsequent return could be the elements needed for Origins to be a hit. NCIS: Origins is coming in the wake of Young Sheldon's impending series finale, and with audiences generally looking for meaningful expansions of their favorite shows, it seems likely that those who have tuned in to watch Sheldon's younger years and have also kept NCIS as one of the best-performing shows on primetime TV would want to dive in to learn more of Gibbs' past with Harmon in tow.

Anticipated Success of NCIS: Origins

The other major factor for this chance at success is that NCIS: Origins is coming in the wake of Young Sheldon's impending series finale. With audiences generally looking for meaningful expansions of their favorite shows, namely ones with the same creative minds behind them, it seems likely that those who have tuned in to watch Sheldon's younger years and have also kept NCIS as one of the best-performing shows on primetime TV would want to dive in to learn more of Gibbs' past with Harmon in tow.

NCIS season 21 is set to premiere on February 12, and Harmon's return already proves promising for NCIS: Origins. The prequel setting of the show could prove to be a big hit given CBS' prior success with such a format in Young Sheldon. Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro's comedy served as a prequel to The Big Bang Theory, exploring the formative years of Jim Parsons' titular character, with the star not only serving as a narrator, but an executive producer as well.