On Tuesday night’s NCIS: Origins episode, which will be a crossover with the mothership, fans can watch Mark Harmon reprise his iconic role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

While fans are excited to watch Harmon’s return, many are questioning whether his appearance will extend beyond Tuesday’s episode.

Speaking out ahead of the episode’s airing, Mark teased a possible return to the main show in the future.

In an interview with TV Insider, Harmon discussed whether or he would return to Origins or the main show.

“I don’t know. Gina and David [the show’s writers] had an idea. I obviously like them, I admire ’em, worked with ’em for a very long time. They’re very good.

“They had an idea and I liked the idea. I try really hard to think about what’s best for the show or what possibly can work for this show.

“But part of that also is giving them the ability to write what they feel is right for the reasons they feel it’s right,” he said.

Mark added, “I try hard not to bother them, not to make their job harder than it is, and it’s plenty hard just developing this new show.

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“And I’m reminded by that because it’s exactly what the mothership was when it first debuted.

“And this is on a similar path, which is not a bad idea if it works.”

“So we’ll see,” he concluded ambiguously.

Elsewhere in the interview, Mark was asked about what it was like to step back into Gibbs’ shoes.

“Oh, that’s a comfortable spot, and that has to do with the creative process and who you’re working with,” he told the outlet.

“And these two were so special as writers and it’s also why those two developed the Origins footprint on their own.

I don’t know. It’s really about feeling like you’re fulfilled with a role, or complete with a role.

Mark in 2024 when asked if he’d return to the show for an eventual finale

“And I certainly backed that their choice to do that. It’s comfortable. I mean, the sets are comfortable. They’re comfortable. I know who they are.

“You have a big backlog of time together with people and they’re special.

“That’s what 20 years in the saddle does — it gives you a comfort that is somewhat rare.

“I don’t know that that’s on every set I’ve ever been on. And it is also important that the crew and all those people are people.”

In 2024, Mark opened up about his decision to leave NCIS in 2021.

“It wasn’t so much a decision to leave, but the right timing to push away a little bit,” he told TVLine.

“I was thrilled with the storyline they came up with and how they handled the character. And the show continued on.”

When asked if he would appear on the series’ eventual finale, he responded: “I don’t know. It’s really about feeling like you’re fulfilled with a role, or complete with a role.”

NCIS
He is very much a beloved and fan-favorite cast memberCredit: Getty