Fans of the procedural franchise are in for a major television event as Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly reunite as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo. The two actors will appear together in the CBS series NCIS: Origins on October 20, marking their first onscreen collaboration in a decade.
A Decade-Long Reunion
The reunion brings these iconic characters together at NCIS headquarters in Washington, D.C. The plot follows Gibbs as he returns to the agency to seek help from DiNozzo, who now serves as the NCIS director. Gibbs turns to his former partner after being shot by unknown assailants during the October 6 season premiere of the prequel series.
Harmon and Weatherly last shared the screen during the NCIS Season 13 finale, “Family First,” which aired on May 17, 2016. That episode marked Weatherly’s departure from the flagship series after 13 seasons.
Context of the NCIS: Origins Narrative
While NCIS: Origins focuses on a younger Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, and is set in the early 1990s, Mark Harmon remains involved as the show’s narrator and an executive producer. Harmon appears in present-day segments of the series, investigating a mystery linked to his past at Camp Pendleton.
In a preview clip from CBS, Gibbs enters the NCIS director’s office and tells DiNozzo, “Home means family, and whether it’s been 10 minutes or 10 years, when you need them, family’s always there.”
Franchise Crossovers and Future Episodes
This reunion is part of an expanding “NCIS-verse” that connects the various spinoffs. Following the October 20 episode, CBS has announced a two-part crossover event for November 11, which will link the flagship NCIS series with NCIS: Origins to resolve a case spanning several decades.
Key Details for Viewers
- Episode Airdate: Tuesday, October 20
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS
- Streaming: Available on Paramount+
- Last Onscreen Appearance: May 17, 2016 (NCIS Season 13 Finale)
While the reunion of Gibbs and DiNozzo is a season highlight, showrunners have clarified that other fan-favorite characters, such as Ziva David, will remain off-screen for now, though they may be referenced in the ongoing narrative.
