We’re just moments away from seeing Mark Harmon back on our TV screens—and fans finally have a glimpse of what Leroy Jethro Gibbs has been up to.
For longtime viewers, Harmon is forever synonymous with NCIS, where he became a household name portraying the stoic team leader for nearly two decades. Although he officially stepped away from the CBS drama in 2021, the character never truly disappeared. Harmon has continued to lend his voice to NCIS: Origins, keeping Gibbs connected to the franchise even while offscreen.
Excitement surged when news broke that Harmon would return to film scenes for a major crossover event airing November 11, 2025. Naturally, fans were eager to learn what Gibbs has been doing during his time away—and now, we have our first hint.
On November 6, NCIS shared an Instagram post offering an exclusive sneak peek of Harmon back in action. The brief clip shows Gibbs at home, quietly revisiting an old case as he writes notes in a notebook—subtly suggesting his continued connection to both the past and present NCIS teams.
“Mark Harmon is back as Gibbs on #NCISOrigins!” the caption teased. “Is he revisiting the past with Lala? Watch an exclusive sneak peek at Tuesday’s crossover event with #NCIS!”
The moment instantly struck an emotional chord with fans. Comments poured in celebrating Gibbs’ return:
“I really can’t believe we’re actually getting him back. This is the best thing ever,” one fan wrote.
“Welcome home, Gibbs!” said another.
“The entire NCIS family has missed you,” added a third.
While it remains unclear whether this appearance signals a longer on-screen return for Harmon, the excitement surrounding his comeback is undeniable. And Harmon himself isn’t ruling anything out.
In a November 10 interview with TV Insider, the actor shared that he remains open to returning—if the story feels right. “I try really hard to think about what’s best for the show and what can work,” Harmon explained. “Part of that is letting the writers tell the story they believe in. That’s exactly how the original NCIS began—and this is on a similar path. If it works, that’s not a bad thing.”