Mark Harmon, the iconic star of the long-running 'NCIS' franchise, will make a special appearance in the premiere episode of the upcoming prequel series 'NCIS: Origins'.
- September 20, 2024
AceShowbiz - CBS recently announced a significant expansion of the "NCIS" universe with the upcoming series, "NCIS: Origins", set to premiere on Monday, October 14, at 10 P.M. ET/PT. The new show will trace the early career of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, with the beloved Mark Harmon taking on the role of narrator.
Harmon, who portrayed Gibbs on the original "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service" series from 2003 to 2021, is ready to dive back into the franchise. Fans can expect to see Harmon in a brief cameo in the pilot episode, and he remains open to future appearances. "We are focusing on him telling the story of 1991. As far as Mark appearing again, we are open to anything," co-showrunner David J. North revealed.
"NCIS: Origins" will explore Gibbs' early days as a newly minted special agent at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office. The series will delve into his formative years, led by NCIS legend Mike Franks, played by Kyle Schmid. On the original series, Franks was portrayed by Muse Watson, becoming a pivotal character throughout "NCIS" extensive run.
Harmon's extensive involvement extends beyond the screen, as he will also serve as an executive producer for the series alongside his son Sean Harmon. Reflecting on his long tenure with "NCIS", Harmon expressed gratitude for the balance he was able to find between work and family life. "It was important to be able to make pancakes on Saturday morning, and there were some times where that meant not sleeping," he shared in a recent interview with PEOPLE.
The series has cast Austin Stowell, known for roles in films like "Whiplash" and "Bridge of Spies", as the young Gibbs. Co-showrunner Gina Monreal shared her excitement, saying, "We just knew when Austin came in that he was Gibbs. He embodied it. His talent is limitless, his dedication to the role, studying Mark, studying the show - he has a similar leadership quality that Mark had on set."
Mark Harmon's return to the "NCIS" universe in this capacity offers a unique blend of nostalgia and new beginnings. As the storytelling stretches back to 1991, fans new and old can look forward to a deeper understanding of Gibbs' character and his early challenges and triumphs within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
