In a twist of events we never saw coming, Mark Harmon is officially making his way back into the NCIS universe.

It’s been four years since we last saw Mark portray Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the CBS drama, with fans continuing to hope for his return every single week. And while he is an executive producer and narrator on the spinoff series NCIS: Origins (Austin Stowell plays a younger Gibbs on that show), it’s just not the same as seeing Mark on TV in real-time! But trust the hit TV franchise to hear fans’ cries for more Mark, because they seriously delivered with an announcement that’ll leave everyone absolutely shook.

Thanks to a report from Deadline October 28, fans learned Mark Harmon will return to NCIS in 2025. In fact, he’s set to make a special guest appearance during the upcoming NCIS and NCIS: Origins crossover event on November 11, 2025 on CBS, which will see the two shows coming together for a storyline fans will see over the course of a two-hour period.

“Four years ago, Gibbs disappeared to Alaska to live a life of solitude,” said co-showrunners and executive producers David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal in an official statement. “We know how much fans have missed seeing Mark and have wondered what Gibbs is up to today. Well, on Nov. 11, we’re so excited to announce that Mark Harmon will return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the Origins hour of the NCIS crossover event. We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say Gibbs is no longer alone.”

When fans learned Mark would be making a grand return to the NCIS franchise, they immediately couldn’t hold back their elation for the prospect.

“This is  absolutely can’t wait to see him back,” one person wrote on Instagram. “The legend returns ,” another declared. “Oh goodness me, I want to cry! Can’t believe we get to see Gibbs again ,” a different follower added.

Now, this was the TV news we didn’t know we needed! And as far as Mark feels about coming back to NCIS in this manner, he seemed elated to be stepping into Gibbs’ shoes once again.

“I’m very proud of the storytelling that David and Gina are doing on Origins,” he stated in the official press release from CBS, per The Hollywood Reporter. “They continue to push boundaries and dive deeper into the characters’ backstories. They came to me with an idea for Gibbs that I liked, and it seemed like a good time to check in with him. I hope fans enjoy it.”