NCIS: Origins’ New Gibbs Will Be Different Because Of Mark Harmon

NCIS: Origins will take a different course, thanks to Mark Harmon. The seasoned actor portrayed the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs character in the original NCIS series that spun off from the 1990s legal procedural JAG. The NCIS: Origins prequel will explore the origin story of Mark Harmon’s character, but the catch is that the series will go back in time to explore how the Special Agent-in-Charge came to be. Austin Stowell took over the role of Jethro Gibbs for the prequel series, and he will form a new Gibbs persona as he starts at NIS at California’s Camp Pendleton.

The original actor portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the flagship for years until Mark Harmon exited NCIS in season 19. While the actor stepped away from the role in 2021, Harmon remains ingrained in the NCIS franchise, working as an executive producer for the flagship series even after his departure. He holds the same role on NCIS: Origins alongside his son, Sean Harmon. As such, Mark Harmon has sizable leverage on how the prequel series turns out and has undoubtedly exercised it. However, Harmon used his leverage to give Stowell freedom with the Jethro Gibbs role.