‘NCIS: Origins’ Boss Talks Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly Reuniting

EXCLUSIVE: David J. North, NCIS: Origins showrunner and executive producer, has heard the excitement from NCIS fans about Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly’s big upcoming reunion in the Origins prequel, and now he’s teasing that more surprises are to come. Deadline also has four new images from the upcoming third episode titled “Return of the Mack” below.

As I reported earlier this week, franchise characters Harmon and Weatherly will reunite after a decade in the prequel, where Harmon will appear for a season-long arc. Fans should watch the October 20 episode to see Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Harmon) return to NCIS headquarters in DC to seek help from new director Tony DiNozzo (Weatherly) after Gibbs was shot by unknown assailants in the Origins Season 3 premiere.

Weatherly’s return to the mothership series was announced in July and took place during the season 24 premiere on October 6. Our Q&A with North can be found below.

DEADLINE: How did this happen? Was it a coincidence since the timing was right with the return of Mark and Michael to the franchise?

DAVID J. NORTH: When we decided to create a current storyline with Mark, one of the first things we discussed was which characters fans would most like to see Mark return to. And of course, DiNozzo was at the top of our list. We are so happy that everything went well. It’s an episode, isn’t it? NCIS fans will want to miss.

DEADLINE: Will there be friendly head butts? Or is it time for us to accept that Gibbs and DiNozzo are now too grown up for all this?

NORTH: No head-snapping this time. DiNozzo is now the director, and they are both at completely different points in their lives. However, the head shots will live on in replays in perpetuity!

DEADLINE: Will Michael only appear in one episode this season, or will there be more?

NORTH: DiNozzo will only be in this episode, but we have plenty of incredible surprises in store.

DEADLINE: How does this open up the possibility of further crossovers, if at all?

NORTH: You’ll just have to stay tuned to see.

DEADLINE: DiNozzo will help Gibbs solve a big mystery. How will this help Gibbs in the long run, and is that part of the season-long mystery?

NORTH: (On the October 13 episode) Woody (Bobby Moynihan) helped Gibbs reconstruct the fingerprint, only to discover that the guy is in the system but his profile is buried in bureaucracy. Gibbs knows he’ll need help from someone with serious access, and luckily DiNozzo, as the new director of NCIS, is just the man for the job. And yes, this is a vital part of Gibbs’ arc throughout the 2026 season.

DEADLINE: Fans really love the storyline of young Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Lala (Mariel Molino). What can you tell us about the big mystery behind why Lala is never mentioned in NCIS?

NORTH: That’s the big question, isn’t it? I can’t say too much, but I will say that we will learn a shocking secret in the season finale that will shed light on the Gibbs/Lala mystery.

DEADLINE: Young Gibbs infiltrates the episode, and let’s just say he kills! What can you share about this and Lala’s reaction to it all?

NORTH: We thought it would be a good opportunity to show a side of Gibbs that we don’t normally get to see. Normally it is very solid and reliable. A little set in his ways, perhaps. And this is something that Lala calls him out on, which bothers him. So Gibbs is determined to prove her wrong and do something he might not otherwise do.

DEADLINE: DiNozzo is back after the events of Tony and Ziva. Will we learn more about their current situation in the episode?

NORTH: Ziva (Cote de Pablo) is mentioned in the episode. She’s obviously an important place in Tony’s life, but for Gibbs, she also has a special place in his heart. And I think no matter how long they go without seeing each other, they’re still 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 cover in the episode?

NORTH: Yes, we can never have enough Ducky in our lives. In this episode, Dr. Tango (Témet Téngalkat) and Dr. Friedman (Lori Petty) are out of town for a conference, so Ducky fills in for the medical examiner and brings with him a very unexpected guest.

DEADLINE: Is there anything else I haven’t asked that you’d like to tease?

NORTH: We are so excited about what we have coming up this season. It’s really fun to see our typical gruff Franks (Kyle Schmid) in a new light as he navigates his crush. Randy (Caleb Foote) brings as much heart as always. And Mary Jo (Tyla Abercrumbie) is full of surprises this year. Big things to come. Fans won’t want to miss it.