Since Leroy Jethro Gibbs moved to Alaska in 2021, Mark Harmon has written two books and is starring in the upcoming sequel Freakier Friday opposite Jamie Lee Curtis. But NCIS fans have never forgotten his time as the confident and tough special agent, especially since Harmon played this notable role for many seasons. It’s hard to imagine the show having the same following without this interesting character. Gibbs might not always know the right thing to say, but he tries his best, and that makes for a compelling character arc.

There have been a few successful NCIS spinoffs, including the prequel NCIS: Origins, and fans will be able to see season 2 in fall 2025. Two fan-favorite characters, Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) are also getting their own spinoff. While it will be great to see this smart couple back on TV in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, fans have one question: does that mean Harmon could make a cameo appearance as Gibbs?

Mark Harmon as Gibbs on NCIS
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Could Mark Harmon Play Gibbs Again On NCIS: Tony & Ziva?
Leroy GIbbs (Mark Harmon) on NCIS
Now that fans are getting ready for NCIS: Tony & Ziva, they’re discussing whether Mark Harmon could come back as Gibbs in a Reddit thread. Redditor @zagack305 shared their idea:

“Gibbs will ‘repay the debt’ to Ziva in the spinoff. This is pure speculation but I definitely think in ‘Tony and Ziva’ we’ll see some references to Gibbs. My prediction is that Gibbs will somehow get news that Tony and Ziva are in trouble and he’ll orchestrate something.”

Redditor @Vegetable-Set8636 added that Gibbs could arrive just in time to save the day. The fan wrote:

“he says some line that’s cool like ‘I came looking for you this time.’ Or something like that. Would be sooo good.”

In another Reddit thread, Redditor @Curious_kitten129 wrote that it’s unlikely that Gibbs will appear in the spinoff series. They explained:

“Considering Gibbs didn’t have a cameo for Ducky’s funeral, I highly doubt we’ll see him here. McGee? Maybe.”

There are a few potential ways for Gibbs to be integrated into the plot of the spinoff series. According to Deadline, Tony & Ziva will pick off with the couple living in Paris with their daughter, Tali. They end up going all over Europe when there is a breach at the security company that Tony runs, which puts them in danger. While the plot description doesn’t say that the couple goes to Alaska, maybe Gibbs takes a trip to Rome or London, and he meets up with his former coworkers and friends. Whether Gibbs comes back to the original series or this new spinoff, it would make the most sense for him to help with a case. It would be memorable and funny if he explained that he has come up with a new list of rules since living a more peaceful life in Alaska.

While it was fun to see Gibbs again in a dream sequence on NCIS season 22, fans would love to see Harmon on the small screen again, even in just one episode. At their core, spinoffs and prequels are filled with nostalgia, and fans have great memories of Gibbs, from his rules to his mysterious vibe. It’ll be great to see Tony and Ziva again, but viewers want to see what Gibbs is doing, too.

Although fans will of course have to wait and see if Tony & Ziva features any other familiar characters, it’s possible that, at the very least, the couple will mention Gibbs. After all, he was a big and important part of their lives, and they learned a lot from him.

It will be a great fall for NCIS fans since season 23 of the original will also premiere this fall. The new season will likely have the same release schedule as season 22 and each fresh episode will air on CBS and then be available to stream the next day. Fans can also watch the prequel NCIS: Origins, which focuses on a young Gibbs. Another show in this exciting and fast-paced universe, NCIS: Sydney, was also renewed for season 3.