'NCIS: Origins' boss Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly say it's 'an episode fans won't want to miss' as new photos release

EXCLUSIVE: NCIS: Origins showrunner and executive producer David Jay North has heard how excited NCIS fans are about Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly's upcoming big reunion in the Origins prequel, and now he says there are more surprises to come. Deadline also has four new images from the upcoming third installment, "The Return of the Mac" […]

As I reported earlier this week, franchise characters Harmon and Weatherly will be reuniting after a decade in the prequels, where Harmon appeared for a one-season arc. Fans should tune in to the October 20 episode to see Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Harmon) return to NCIS D.C. headquarters to seek help from new director Tony DiNozzo (Weatherly) after Gibbs was shot by unknown assailants in the Season 3 premiere of Origins. Related News Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly to Reunite on 'NCIS: Origins' Ratings 'NCIS' is up 39 percent in viewers for CBS' Tuesday primetime.

Weatherly's return to her parent series was announced in July and made its season 24 premiere on October 6. You can see our Q&A with North below. Watch on Deadline

Deadline: How did this happen? Was it a coincidence since the timing marked Mark and Michael's return to the franchise?

David J. North: When we decided to do a present-day storyline with Mark, one of the first things we discussed was that the fans would like Mark to team up with them more. And of course, Day Noso was at the top of our list. We are very happy that everything worked out. This is an episode that no NCIS fan wants to miss.

Deadline: Will there be a friendly slap? Or is it time to accept that Gibbs and DiNozzo are too old for all of this now?

North: This time there will be no slapping. DiNozzo is now a director, and both are at completely different stages in their lives. However, the head slap will live on forever in replays!

Deadline: Will Michael appear in just one episode this season or will there be more?

North: DiNozzo will only be in this episode, but we have a lot of incredible surprises in store.

Deadline: How does this open up the possibility for any other crossovers?

North: You'll just have to wait and see.

Deadline: DiNozzo helps Gibbs solve a big mystery. How will this help Gibbs in the long run and is this part of the mystery that will play out all season?

North: [In the October 13 episode] Woody (Bobby Moynihan) helps Gibbs reconstruct the fingerprints, only to discover that the man is in the system but his profile is buried in red tape. Gibbs knows he needs help from someone with some serious access, and luckily, DiNozzo, as the new director of NCIS, is just the man to do it. And yes, this is an important part of Gibbs' 2026 season long arc.

Deadline: Fans are really loving the storyline of young Gibbs (Austin Stovell) and Lala (Marielle Molino). What can you tease about the big mystery behind why Lala is never mentioned on NCIS?

North: That's a big question, isn't it? I can't share too much, but I will say that we will learn a shocking secret at the end of the season that will shed light on the Gibbs/Lala mystery.

Deadline: Young Gibbs goes undercover in the episode, and let's just say he kills! What can you share about that and Lala's reaction to it all?

North: We thought it would be a great opportunity to show a side of Gibbs that we don't usually get to see. Normally, he is very solid and reliable. It might get in his way a little. And this is what Lala calls him, which annoys him. So Gibbs is determined to prove him wrong and do something he might not have done otherwise.

Deadline: DiNozzo is back after what happened with Tony and Ziva. Will we learn more about where they are now in the episode?

North: Ziva (Cote de Pablo) is introduced in the episode. She's obviously a big part of Tony's life, but for Gibbs, she also holds a special place in his heart. And I think no matter how much they haven't seen each other, they're always family.

DEADLINE: There will be a lot of Ducky (Adam Campbell) in this episode, which is always a good thing. What can we expect him to do in this episode?

North: Yeah, we can never have enough Duckies in our lives. In this episode, Dr. Tango (Témet Téngalkat) and Dr. Friedman (Lori Petty) are out of town at a conference, so Ducky checks in as a doctor and brings a very unexpected guest.

Another thing I didn't ask you that you like to make fun of?

North: We are very excited about what we are cooking up this season. It's really fun to see our usual grumpy Franks (Kyle Schmid) in a new light as he pursues his crush. Randy (Caleb Foote) brings a lot of heart as always. And Mary Jo (Tayla Abercrombie) is full of surprises this year. Big things are coming, fans don't want to miss it.

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