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Is Mark Harmon Returning to NCIS? Former Co-Star Teases Gibbs' Comeback Chances

Is Mark Harmon Returning to NCIS? Former Co-Star Teases Gibbs' Comeback Chances
Image credit: CBS

Odds Becoming More Likely of NCIS Return.

There is no doubt that NCIS hasn't been the same without Mark Harmon. Special Agent Gibbs has only been gone for one season yet his departure from the police procedural seems far more distant than reality.

Harmon departed from NCIS at the end of season 19, marking an incredible run with the TV series that began around the turn of the 21st century. It was difficult news for many fans to swallow, considering that the 71-year-old actor has become an icon on NCIS.

Accordingly, when recent rumors flared up that Harmon may be considering a return to the series, viewers got excited. Real excited. But what are the actual prospects of an NCIS reunion featuring Special Agent Leroy Gibbs?

Rocky Carroll, who portrays NCIS Director Leon Vance, recently sat down with TV Insider and shared a few bombshells. According to Carroll, the return of Gibbs to NCIS is likely. The actor dished in the interview about what it's like to work alongside Harmon, and how Special Agent Gibbs' comeback is always a possibility.

According to Carroll, there is no end in sight for NCIS. For this reason, the TV series could run for several more years, which will always open up a door of possibilities, including inviting Gibbs back to the cast as a regular.

'Gibbs is the moral compass,' Carroll explained of his co-star. 'He's the moral compass that we all wish we had.'

Carroll also acknowledged that the writers of NCIS have a special plan for Agent Gibbs. The character was last seen on NCIS season 19, episode 4 ('Great Wide Open'), in which Gibbs elects to join Agent Timothy McGee on a trip to Alaska.

Carroll insists that the writers purposely had Gibbs exit from the show in a way that would always give the character the potential to return at a later date. Harmon has confirmed as much, indicating in the bonus content of the season 19 DVD that the character is 'not retired.'

Following the departure of Harmon in October 2021, NCIS executive producer and showrunner Steven D. Binder was adamant that it was not the type of nasty exodus that appears evident on other shows, like Yellowstone. Rather, Binder (like other cast and crew) refused to accept this was the true end to Gibbs on NCIS.

The feelings appear to be mutual, as Harmon doesn't seem to harbor any hard feelings toward his former employer. In fact, he's gone on record as saying that he left NCIS largely because he felt the need to keep his career 'fresh.'

Harmon is certainly not the first actor that has desired a change of pace after a long stint on a TV show. And, he definitely wouldn't be the first to insist on a comeback after some years pass. In that event, a Harmon and NCIS reunion may well soon be on the horizon.

Source: TV Insider.