Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly are back together on screen for the first time in a decade. The two actors, who played Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo on CBS’ flagship NCIS for 13 seasons, will share the screen again in the October 20 episode of NCIS: Origins. The episode, titled “Return of the Mack,” airs at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and streams on Paramount+. The reunion comes after both actors returned to the franchise in major on-screen roles this season — Harmon as a series regular on Origins and Weatherly as the new NCIS director on the mothership series.
What Brings Gibbs and DiNozzo Back Together
The reunion episode finds Gibbs returning to NCIS’ D.C. headquarters to ask for help from Tony DiNozzo, who is now the new NCIS director. The meeting follows a shocking event: Gibbs was shot by unknown assailants in the NCIS: Origins Season 3 premiere on October 6. The shooter said, “One down, one to go,” believing Gibbs was dead thanks to a Marine breathing technique he used to stop his pulse.
Weatherly’s return to the mothership series was announced in July 2026. His first episode back was the NCIS Season 24 premiere on October 6, where the episode revealed that Tony was the government’s first choice to replace Leon Vance as director. Showrunner Steven D. Binder explained how the new role came together.
“He’s not going to go back to being in the bullpen. There are not enough chairs. That wouldn’t be true to where his character had gone,” Binder said. “He has to be more serious as the director, but he’s also a different person than Leon Vance. The movie references are still going to be there. He’s had a lot of nurture since he left. He’s had a kid. He’s a parent. I think you’re going to see a combination of a wiser more mature Tony who is still 100 percent Tony as well.”
Mark Harmon’s Full-Time Return to the NCIS Universe
Harmon stepped away from his role as Gibbs in 2021 after 18 seasons on the original NCIS. Since then, he has served as an executive producer and narrator for NCIS: Origins, the prequel series that follows a young Gibbs (Austin Stowell) during his early years at Camp Pendleton in the 1990s.
Season 3 of Origins marks Harmon’s full-time acting return to the franchise. He appears in every episode of the 10-episode season as part of a present-day mystery tied to his Camp Pendleton days in the ’90s. Origins showrunner David J. North spoke about what it was like having Harmon back on set.
“It felt surreal, incredible, hard to put into words. It was like coming home. Mark is amazing in those scenes. The fans are going to lose their minds,” North told TV Insider.
North also explained how the Woody reunion in Episode 2 directly sets up the Gibbs-DiNozzo meeting. “[Gibbs’] time with Woody does directly lead to [a reunion in Episode 3]. Mark’s storyline in 2026, every episode is really feeding into the next in a very linear, emotional, but simple story.”
Fan Reactions to the Gibbs and DiNozzo Reunion
NCIS fans have been vocal about the reunion on social media. The official NCIS Verse Instagram page shared photos of both actors at a franchise table read in July, and the comment section filled with excitement.
“This makes my OG NCIS heart so happy!! Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo is BACK!” one fan wrote. Another shared, “I can’t contain my excitement that Tony DiNozzo is back! My favorite character!” A third fan suggested, “With Mark on ‘Origins’ for a season long arc and Michael on the mothership for a season long arc, it feels like we will see them both colliding in a season finale cliffhanger.”
Ratings and Viewership for the NCIS Franchise
The returns of Harmon and Weatherly have lifted the entire NCIS Tuesday night lineup. The all-NCIS Tuesday lineup delivered a No. 1 broadcast finish averaging 5.49 million viewers, up 39% from last year’s CBS premiere Tuesday.
The NCIS Season 24 premiere averaged 6.45 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode since the Season 21 finale in May 2024. The NCIS: Origins Season 3 premiere drew 4.39 million viewers, up 20% from its year-ago premiere and up 56% from the year-ago time-period premiere of NCIS: Sydney.
Episode Details and Guest Stars
The “Return of the Mack” episode also features the return of Adam Campbell as a young Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. In the 1992 timeline, Ducky helps the team investigate when a young Marine is found murdered on a beach with suspicious markings on his body.
NCIS: Origins stars Austin Stowell as young Gibbs, Mariel Molino as Lala Dominguez, Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks, Tyla Abercrumbie as Mary Jo Hayes, Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland, and Caleb Foote as Randy Randolf. The series is executive produced by David J. North, Mark Harmon, Sean Harmon, Michele Greco, and Eric Christian Olsen.
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How to Watch NCIS Origins Season 3
New episodes of NCIS: Origins air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Episodes are available to stream on Paramount+ the next day for viewers in the United States. International audiences can watch on Paramount+ in Canada, the UK, Australia, and other markets where the service is available. The series also airs on Network 10 in Australia. For viewers in India, Paramount+ content is available through JioCinema and other local streaming partners.
The Gibbs and DiNozzo reunion episode airs Tuesday, October 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The episode will be available for streaming on Paramount+ starting Wednesday, October 21.
Also Read: NCIS Origins Season 3 Cast Guide: Mark Harmon Back Full Time as Gibbs, Sean Harmon Joins, and Who Is Not Returning
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