Mark Harmon Is Back — and NCIS Fans Can’t Handle the Veterans Day Reunion!

“Fans are going wild! After years off-screen, Mark Harmon makes his epic return as Gibbs in a mind-blowing ‘NCIS: Origins’ crossover this Veterans Day”

The shockwave hit like a badge dropped on a conference-table: Mark Harmon, the face of the NCIS franchise for nearly two decades, is stepping back into the spotlight—but not in the way anyone expected. This Veterans Day, November 11, fans of the franchise will witness something once thought impossible: a crossover event between NCIS and its prequel spin-off NCIS: Origins that reunites Harmon’s legendary character, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, after years away. People.com+2Good Housekeeping+2

Why this matters

Mark Harmon’s Gibbs was the anchor of NCIS for 18 seasons. He stood silent in corridors, slapped rules on tables, and chased justice with a haunted past. So when he exited the series in 2021 to go ‘solo in Alaska,’ it felt like the end of an era. Vanity Fair+2Wikipedia+2

Since then, the NCIS universe expanded: the prequel, NCIS: Origins, explores Gibbs’ early years in the 1990s, with a younger actor, Austin Stowell, stepping into the role and Harmon serving as narrator and executive producer. Screen Rant+2Collider+2

Now, Harmon isn’t just narrating—he’s back on-screen in the crossover event. This doesn’t just mark a cameo. It’s a moment fans have been longing for: the myth. The legacy. Gibbs returning. And doing it on Veterans Day, of all days, adds another layer of resonance. EW.com+1

What the crossover promises

• A case that spans decades: The storyline opens in the 1990s (in Origins) investigating a naval officer’s death, only for the same case to resurface in the present-day (NCIS) timeline. People.com+1

• Gibbs is not alone: Co-showrunners tease that this time, Gibbs will be “no longer alone.” That suggests emotional stakes, risk, surprises. People.com+1

• Timeline mash-up: For one night only, the usual schedule is flipped. Origins comes first at 8 p.m., then NCIS, creating a seamless narrative bridge. EW.com+1

• Fan service + story depth: Yes, we’ll get to see Mark Harmon again as Gibbs. But the return is purposeful—he approved the story, praising how the showrunners “continue to push boundaries and dive deeper into the characters’ backstories.” Good Housekeeping+1

What this means for the franchise

This crossover could define the next era of the NCIS universe. By re-introducing Gibbs, the series acknowledges its past while propelling the story forward. It’s a bridge between the old guard and the new generation. Sources suggest this could open doors for more crossovers, more connections, more “universe-building”. Screen Rant+1

For fans, this is the moment: the legend returns. The familiar badge. The voice. The presence that made NCIS a household name. And this isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a promise: Gibbs’ story isn’t done.

When & how to watch

Mark your calendar: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (Veterans Day).
On this night, tune into CBS and stream on Paramount+. First up: NCIS: Origins at 8 p.m. ET, then NCIS at 9 p.m. ET. Because of the crossover nature, you’ll want to watch both to experience the full story. People.com+1

Why you should care

• If you’ve followed NCIS from the beginning, this is the return we’ve been waiting for.

• If you jumped into the spin-off, this is your chance to see how the pieces connect.

• And even if you’re new? This is a perfect entry point: story spanning decades, beloved characters, emotional weight, high stakes.
  In short: spectacle with heart