As NCIS prequel series NCIS: Origins returns for its third season, continuing to chart the early career of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, further details have been announced regarding Mark Harmon's role.
That's right, Harmon, who originated the role of Gibbs on JAG and subsequently NCIS, and has narrated the prequel series throughout, is returning in a recurring role for season 3, playing the older version of Gibbs.
We now know that he will be seen alongside his friend Woody, played by Bobby Moynihan, in the second episode of the new season.
Meanwhile, we have also learned that Harmon's son Sean, who previously played a young version of Gibbs in NCIS flashbacks and serves as an executive producer on Origins, will be guest starring in the new season.
Rather than reprising his role as a young Gibbs, with that character now played by Austin Stowell, Sean Harmon will be playing a new character, FBI Agent Casey Bloom.
The official synopsis for NCIS: Origins season 3 episode 2, which is titled My Own Worst Enemy, says: "In the present, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) returns to civilisation and calls in a favour from old friend Woody (Bobby Moynihan). In 1992, the team bands together to help Woody when he’s accused of murdering a bowling rival."
Ahead of the premiere of NCIS: Origins back in 2024, Harmon explained why his son Sean wouldn't be playing young Gibbs again, revealing it was a choice on his part.
"He’s an actor, writer, producer, a surfer, he does a lot of things," Harmon told Variety of Sean. "You have to come to decisions about what you want to do in life, or what you think’s important. I just think he made a choice and had to make a decision in some ways. He likes executive producing."
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This season of the prequel will be a big one for returns to the NCIS franchise, as Detective Mary Deeks star Eric Christian Olsen, who played the character in all 14 seasons of the spinoff series NCIS: Los Angeles, will be an executive producer on the new episodes under his Cloud Nine Productions banner.
Along with the other ongoing shows in the franchise, NCIS: Origins will return in the US on CBS on while a release date for the UK is expected to follow shortly after, but has yet to be officially confirmed.
NCIS: Origins season 3 will be released on Paramount+. You can sign up to Paramount+ for a seven-day free trial.
NCIS is available to watch on Disney+ in the UK. You can sign up to Disney+ from £4.99 a month.
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