NCIS continually shakes things up in their expanding universe. So, it's no surprise that they'd want one of their alumni to have a bigger role. Despite his departure from the main show, CBS still wanted to tell his character's story at a different time. In 2024, three years after he departed NCIS season 19, Mark Harmon returned as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in a new way in NCIS: Origins. While Austin Stowell portrayed the 90s version of Gibbs, Harmon told the story through voiceovers throughout seasons 1 and 2.
Fans may remember we've seen older Gibbs on screen in the prequel twice already: the series premiere in 2024 and the crossover in 2025. So, why is his 2026 return such a major deal? After two seasons of voiceovers and two brief appearances, Mark Harmon will finally join NCIS: Origins as Older Gibbs in a full-season arc.
NCIS: Origins season 3 picks up right where season 2 ended
Along with Harmon's return, we learn where younger Gibbs' story picks up in season 3. It won't be an easy start to the season considering how season 2 ended. The season 2 finale episodes started with a bummer announcement of the Camp Pendleton office being split up across different agencies. Luckily they saved the office and remain a team, so at least we know that's the same. But, as one thing was saved, another was put into danger.
After Mike told Gibbs that Lala was sticking to her plan of leaving, he tried to forget her, but he couldn't. So instead of going to the office first, Gibbs drove straight to Lala, and she revealed she couldn't leave and that she wanted him to ask her to stay. Although she decided to stay, their happy ending was short-lived. On October 6, 2026, we'll find out how they reacted to the new case involving Randy's kidnapping. From Older Gibbs' voiceover, we know that the aftermath won't be pretty, as the team has to save Randy.
How does Old Gibbs tie in to Young Gibbs' case and feelings? Not much has been released, but I do have some theories. Gibbs can't ignore his past any longer. For two seasons, he's been telling us the story he wanted to forget and the woman he left behind. What if it all comes back into focus in the present timeline in season 3?
Mark Harmon's tie-in to NCIS: Origins season 3
Gibbs turned in his badge and moved to a remote cabin in Alaska, where he now resides as he tells the story he buried. We briefly saw his life after he left the NCIS world behind for a slower life. Something major haunts his peaceful days. How is his new life interrupted? We don't know much, but we do know he'll be in all 10 episodes of NCIS: Origins season 3.
On September 1, 2026, CBS teased fans with the description for season 3, episode 1, where we learned some major details about Harmon's return.
"'Don’t You Forget About Me' – In the present day, ghosts from Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) past finally catch up to him, shattering his peaceful retirement in Alaska. In 1992, the team races to rescue a kidnapped Randy (Caleb Foote) while Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Lala (Mariel Molino) deal with the aftermath of their kiss."
When Harmon's return was confirmed, TV Insider pointed out a hope I didn't think anyone else thought about when we saw Gibbs in the crossover. After all the pain of Lala possibly being killed in season 1 and returning in season 2, I hoped we'd see an older her in the present day. With how close Gibbs and Lala are in the 90s, it only makes sense that she'd be one of the ghosts haunting him in the present day. In the original series, we never see Lala and Randy like we see Mike, Ducky, and Vera Stickland. Is it possible that we'll see what happened to Lala and Randy after Gibbs went to Washington and then to Alaska?
My theory is that someone from his past tracks him down and brings him into the fold. To tie into the 90s timeline, the present-day case has to have something to do with someone from that time. Because we don't know anything about Lala and Randy after the 90s, I'm wondering if they are in danger. Currently in 1992, Randy has been kidnapped, and the team is scrambling to find him. While they are on edge about Randy, Gibbs and Lala are finding their footing after their kiss. Could these two things come back into focus to interrupt Gibbs' retirement? Honestly, anything is possible. Especially since it seems those two ghosts don't have a storyline to follow like the other NCIS favorites fans have learned about for many years.
NCIS: Origins season 3 premiers on CBS on October 6 at 10 PM ET.
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