Mark Harmon Is “Fine” Stepping Back On ‘NCIS: Origins’

More than 20 years after originating the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Mark Harmon is preparing to step back into the world of NCIS in a different capacity.

After departing the show during season 19 back in 2021, the Golden Globe nominee discussed his role as narrator and executive producer on the upcoming spin-off NCIS: Origins, premiering October 14 on CBS, as he appeared Saturday on the show’s TCA panel.

“I’m just pleased to be part of it,” said Harmon. “And I’m a distant part of it really because I’m not there to make any big moves or anything. I’m just there to support. And how can I help? And if you need my help, great. And if not, that’s okay too. And so far, they’re all doing just fine.”

Mark EPs on the show along with his son Sean Harmon, who previously recurred on the parent series as a younger version of his father’s character and ultimately came up with the idea for the spin-off. Austin Stowell will portray Gibbs in the new series.

“I don’t know what to say other than I’m pleased to be part of this team,” said Mark Harmon on Saturday. “And I’m fine with the step back to let this cast do their work. We spent a lot of time in rooms, finding this group that sits in front of you.”

He added, “And we’re one week in. One week, but I love this cast. And I love what I’ve seen on dailies and what I’ve seen on set.”

After scaling back his onscreen duties, Mark Harmon stepped down from NCIS in 2021 but remains an EP. He praised CBS during Saturday’s panel for sticking with the show despite growing pains.

“At the time, I was traveling and doing movies and stuff and gone a lot,” he recalled of filming Season 1. “We had a young family. Sean was very young, and I just wanted to stay home more. And I didn’t think about doing a TV series at all, but I read the script and liked it, liked the character, loved the name, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. 

“Was trying to stay home more, obviously. First day was 22 hours. Didn’t exactly work out like I had thought. We had a lot of those days the first four years. And it took a while. People think this show jumped off. It didn’t. And I’m thankful always to CBS that was in third place and really didn’t have much more to put on. Because I think on other networks, we might’ve been gone. You’re not given that chance to grow. You’re not given that chance to find the right cast,” added Mark.