2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable years in NCIS history, and CBS’s latest announcement proves the franchise is far from slowing down.
For longtime fans, this year has delivered a wave of firsts—an impressive feat for a franchise that has thrived for more than two decades. From bold expansions to historic scheduling moves, NCIS continues to redefine what a legacy TV universe can be.
One of the biggest milestones came with the debut of the franchise’s first-ever streaming spinoff, NCIS: Tony and Ziva. The series marked the long-awaited return of Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo as Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, reuniting the fan-favorite duo on screen for the first time since Season 11 in 2013. The show quickly became a hit, and fans are already hoping for a Season 2 renewal.
CBS also made franchise history this fall by launching its first three-hour NCIS prime-time block. By moving NCIS, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Sydney to Tuesday nights, the network gave viewers an entire evening dedicated to the NCIS universe. That move set the stage for yet another major first: a special crossover event between NCIS and NCIS: Origins. The event marks the first crossover for Origins and the first time two NCIS series set in different timelines will intersect.
CBS Announces Mark Harmon’s Return to NCIS
As anticipation builds for the Veterans Day crossover event, CBS has revealed the announcement fans have been waiting for: Mark Harmon is returning to the NCIS franchise.
Harmon will reprise his iconic role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs during the crossover, marking his first on-screen appearance in the franchise since his cameo in the NCIS: Origins series premiere in 2024. Notably, his return will take place during the opening hour of the event in NCIS: Origins, rather than in the flagship series.
While Harmon has served as the narrator for every episode of NCIS: Origins, it has been more than four years since he last appeared on NCIS following his departure early in Season 19. Whether Gibbs will cross paths with any current NCIS team members during the crossover remains a mystery, but fans are hopeful the event will deliver at least one meaningful reunion.
Regardless of how the crossover unfolds, Harmon’s return is a major moment for the franchise. Seeing Gibbs back on screen—even briefly—adds emotional weight to an already historic event and reinforces why NCIS remains one of television’s most enduring and beloved franchises.
New Details Emerge About the NCIS and NCIS: Origins Crossover
With a blockbuster crossover, a legendary character’s return, and multiple successful series airing at once, 2025 is proving to be a landmark year for NCIS—and fans are loving every minute of it.