The news that Mark Harmon is returning as Gibbs was enough to send the NCIS fandom into a frenzy. Then an Origins cast member said something that instantly sparked a new wave of speculation. šŸ‘€ Suddenly, fans aren’t just asking whether Gibbs is back… They’re wondering how much of him they’ll actually getā€”and whether this long-awaited return is only the beginning.

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NCIS Fans Are Freaking Out Hearing Mark Harmon Is Returning As Gibbs, But One Origins Star’s Comment Is Everything

This better not be a blink-and-miss-it moment.
Gibbs in baseball cap standing outside in Alaska in NCIS Season 19
(Image credit: CBS)
I canā€™t remember which rule says ā€œAlways wait several years before reprising your most beloved character on the small screen,ā€ but itā€™s quite relevant this week, as CBS formally announced thatĀ NCISĀ vetĀ Mark HarmonĀ is returning to the hit franchise as its rule-making former head honcho Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Needless to say, there was much rejoicing to be had, seeing as how itā€™ll fully make five years in October since theĀ character self-exiled in Alaska in Season 19.Understandably for such a huge update, details are pretty light as far as what viewers can expect to see or hear when the return hits theĀ 2026 TV schedule, but the post below actually does put the focus on Gibbs for a line after laying out that heā€™ll be back not on the mothership series, but on the prequel spinoffĀ NCIS: Origins.

I do think it’s interesting that the video shows off Mark Harmon in full, since that has to be an implication that fans will legitimately see current-era Gibbs in the flash, as opposed to only hearing his voice utilized for reflective narrations. Those voiceover bits weren’t as prominent in Season 2 as they were in the first, so maybe this is a way to give fans more of the character they’ve been missing.Speaking of the fans, there were more than a few abundantly excited reactons to the Gibbs news, despite some sporadic gruff about the appearance happening onĀ OriginsĀ instead ofĀ NCIS proper. Here are some of the ones that stood out to me.

Some Of The Most Excited NCIS Fans’ Reactions

NCIS Fans Are Freaking Out Hearing Mark Harmon Is Returning As Gibbs, But One Origins Star's Comment Is Everything | Cinemablend

  • Our prayers have been answered!! šŸ˜­šŸ™ – @rebecca1356
  • Wait ah minā€¦. Iā€™m hyperventilatingā€¦ GIBBSā€¦ YESSSSSSS!!!!!! – @cutfromadifferentcloth_
  • I love NCIS, Origins! The cast is phenomenal and the writing is superb, but having Mark Harmon narrate brings everything full circle. Itā€™s a brilliant concept, flawlessly executed! – @michelle.federico11
  • Best news ever!! Gibbs has been missed for sure!!! – @maryjanesdesk
  • we’re NOT gonna be surviving this I fear šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­ – @austin.h.abbas
  • My HeartšŸ¤©šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³šŸ„³ – @behindthefavor
  • can you hear me screaming – @official.emmagrace
  • What about the actor playing young Gibbs? Heā€™s out now? I liked him! – @brittbach35

Anybody who reacts to anything with dozens of party emojis can’t be all bad, amirite? Also, that last comment isn’t celebratory, but it amused me that the commenter seemed to think that Mark Harmon would be replacing Austin Stowell as “Young Gibbs” in the prequel, which is a hilarious concept in and of itself.

Mariel Molino Weighed In With A Very Promising Comment

NCIS' Mark Harmon Was Asked About Possible Return As Leroy Gibbs, And He Shared A Detail That Kinda Surprised MeNCIS: OriginsĀ star Mariel Molino, who portrays Gibbs’ partner Lala Dominguez, shared a comment below the post that could potentially give fans something they’ve wondered throughout the prequel’s run to date: where was Lala during the timeline ofĀ NCISĀ proper? Here’s what she chimed in with, which sparked a fun response from co-star Caleb Foote.

  • MARIEL MOLINO:Ā I hear Alaskaā€™s nice this time of yearā€¦
    • CALEB FOOTE:Ā save Randy first! Get yo head outta the future

It’s a fair cop from Foote, whose tech-savvy Randy was kidnapped in the Season 2 finale, leaving his fate totally up in the air ahead of the third season. For what it’s worth, at least one other fan shared that learning about Randy’s safety was at least as important as learning about Gibbs.Regardless, Molino’s comment sets up the speculation thatĀ NCIS: OriginsĀ will jump forward in time to the current day, possibly to show fans that Lala is still alive and in contact with Gibbs, without him needing to come out of hiding to make it happen. Of course, it might not indicate that at all, but I’m keeping the faith.As exciting as it is to know that Gibbs will be around in some capacity, there’s the caveat thatĀ NCIS: OriginsĀ Season 3 will be one ofĀ several CBS series whose season orders were cut down. So don’t expect to see Harmon’s Gibbs for, say, eleven episodes, as we’re only getting ten.Both of the prior seasons, as well as all 23 seasons ofĀ NCIS, can be streamed in full viaĀ Paramount+ subscription.