Let’s talk about Mark Harmon, the legendary star of NCIS, who may have officially stepped away from his role as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 2021, but apparently hasn’t fully stepped out of the picture. According to an exclusive source from Closer, Mark is still very much involved in the show and its spinoffs, much to the chagrin of some cast and crew members.
Mark Harmon's Unofficial Return to NCIS
For those of you who don’t know, Mark Harmon, now 73, bid farewell to the long-running crime drama after an impressive 19 seasons in October 2021. You’d think that hanging up his badge would mean hanging up his involvement altogether, right? Wrong. It seems that even though he’s no longer playing Gibbs on screen, he’s still very much involved behind the scenes. The source claims, “Mark’s still very much a part of the NCIS universe, and he’s not shy about making his voice heard on everything from casting decisions to plotlines.”
This involvement, while appreciated by some, is starting to wear thin for others. “He’s always had a strong opinion, and now that he’s not in front of the camera, he’s using his influence to meddle in ways that some people find frustrating,” the source adds.
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Harmon's Executive Producer Role: A Double-Edged Sword
See, Mark isn’t just a former cast member—he’s also an executive producer on the show. This gives him a lot of leeway to stay involved, and boy, does he take advantage of it. “He’s stretching his executive producer role as far as it can go,” the source explains. “He can’t help himself. He’s got opinions to share with the younger generation, and he’s not afraid to dish out advice and critiques from afar.”
While some of the newer cast members appreciate his wisdom and experience, others are finding his constant interference a bit much. “There’s definitely a divide,” the source notes. “Some people value his input, but others wish he’d step back and let the new team do their thing without so much oversight.”
Harmon's Special Interest in NCIS: Origins
One of the projects that seems to have caught Mark’s attention is the spinoff NCIS: Origins. This show explores the early days of Gibbs, and Mark has made sure to have his say in its development. “It was Mark who personally called Austin Stowell to let him know he got the role of playing a younger Gibbs,” the source reveals.
Austin, who’s 39, remembers the moment vividly. He was skiing in an area with spotty reception when he got the call. Determined not to miss it, he quickly removed his skis, hopped into his Jeep, and raced down the highway to a spot with better service. When he finally connected with Mark, he was thrilled by what he heard. “Mark was incredibly complimentary,” Austin recalls. “He said, ‘It’s been you from the second you walked into the room.’”
And if that wasn’t enough, the source claims that Mark also pushed Austin to wear blue contacts to better replicate Gibbs’ famous intense blue stare. “It’s clear that despite his retirement, Mark is still 100 percent invested in the show,” the source concludes.
