A recent update from NCIS star and executive producer Mark Harmon has stoked hope for the return of his character, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. After leading the Major Case Response Team since the show's release in 2003, Gibbs finally took his retirement in NCIS season 19, episode 4 "Great Wide Open." While the door remained open for a return, the possibility was never confirmed. However, comments from Harmon in a special featurette on the NCIS season 19 DVD may hint toward a possible return from Gibbs.
Special Agent Gibbs has been a staple of NCIS since season 1. As one of the longest-running scripted television shows in history, the series has spawned several spin-offs throughout the years, including NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawai'i. Despite a wide range of characters and a rotating team of agents beneath him, Gibbs remained a solid fan favorite. Many characters have come and gone on NCIS, but Gibbs always remained a constant fixture — so many were taken by surprise at his sudden retirement to Alaska in season 19.
Despite Gibbs' retirement, Harmon hasn't sworn off the idea of returning. In a special preview of the NCIS season 19 featurettes by ET Online, Harmon addressed Gibbs' exit from the series. "I'm not retired..." Harmon explained, "The character is living in Alaska as far as I know." The statement may land on the side of brief and ambiguous — something very fitting for a cryptic man such as Jethro Gibbs — but it is enough to infer that Gibbs' story may not be finished. While Gibbs may be off searching for peace in the Alaskan wilderness, it doesn't eliminate the possibility of his return in some capacity. Harmon is still active in the production of the show as an executive producer, and the statement against his retirement gives hope to the fact that Gibbs isn't gone from NCIS for good.
Will Gibbs Return To NCIS?
At this point, a return is up in the air — but there has been plenty of hinting from various sources. On top of Harmon's own ambiguous statement, co-star Sean Murray — who plays Gibbs' protégé, Timothy McGee — is confident of Gibbs' return. In an interview with Parade, Murray explained his stance: "I'm not saying this just to say it for a tease and all that BS, I really, truly believe that the Gibbs could pop up somewhere. I really believe there's a possibility of that happening." Even showrunner Steven Binder has told fans to "never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out" at PaleyFest. A return may not be promised, but it seems all involved are wide open to the possibility. Even if Gibbs does not return himself, Binder has promised that Gibbs' legacy will be felt throughout NCIS.
With fans, co-stars, and even showrunners gunning for Gibbs to make a comeback, it's possible he'll make a return in some capacity. After a hard life and a career of hard work, Gibbs has found a peace he has not known in a long time among the Alaskan wilderness — but that doesn't mean he can't pop in from time to time to check on his old team. As NCIS approaches season 20, the hope that Gibbs will return continues to climb. While nothing has been confirmed, it seems the door is wide open for Gibbs to return to NCIS at any opportunity.