Three decades after he first donned the uniform as Harmon Rabb Jr. on JAG, actor David James Elliott is opening the door—just a crack—to the possibility of returning once again to the NCIS universe. And for fans of the long-running military-legal drama that spawned one of television’s most successful franchises, that crack might be all they need.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Elliott reflected on his character’s legacy and revealed he’s still open to revisiting Harm, the stoic and sharp Navy lawyer he brought to life for 10 seasons across 227 episodes. “I did that because of R. Scott Gemmill,” Elliott shared, referring to his 2019 NCIS: Los Angeles return. “He was a writer in the first two seasons of JAG, then ran ER, and eventually NCIS: LA. He’s still a friend of mine.”
A Character That Helped Launch a TV Empire
JAG, short for Judge Advocate General, premiered in 1995 and laid the groundwork for what would become the sprawling NCIS franchise. While the series centered on military law and high-stakes investigations, its appeal stemmed from characters like Harm—an ex-fighter pilot turned Navy lawyer whose strong moral compass and steely charm made him a fan favorite.
But JAG was more than a cult classic. In its eighth season, it birthed an empire. A backdoor pilot introduced NCIS and characters like Mark Harmon’s stoic Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Michael Weatherly’s wisecracking DiNozzo, and Pauley Perrette’s gothic forensic scientist Abby Sciuto. That episode would change the landscape of crime procedurals forever.
Since then, NCIS has clocked nearly 500 episodes, multiple Emmy nods, and a staggering six spin-offs, including the much-anticipated NCIS: Tony & Ziva, set to reunite Weatherly and Cote de Pablo.
Could Harmon Rabb Jr. Return Again?
When asked about stepping back into Harm’s polished shoes, Elliott didn’t rule it out: “I don’t really know any of the people on NCIS, but if they came to me, I’d certainly consider it. So, who knows?” His tone—part teasing, part genuine—will no doubt fuel fresh speculation.
Interestingly, Elliott hinted that he once pitched a new concept for his character to Gemmill, who had other plans at the time. “We were talking about maybe taking the Harm character and doing something with him… then [Gemmill] goes, ‘Yeah, but why don’t we do this?’ And I went, ‘Oh, great.’” That “this” became the surprise NCIS: Los Angeles arc, where Harm appeared opposite longtime love interest Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie (Catherine Bell), offering nostalgic closure—but also leaving plenty of story on the table.
A Return That Could Bridge Generations
Bringing Harm into the NCIS mothership could offer something uniquely poignant. Unlike Gibbs, who has retired from the franchise (for now), or DiNozzo and Ziva, who will get their spin-off in 2026, Harm’s story remains relatively open-ended. Fans never fully saw how life post-Navy unfolded for him or Mac, and the current NCIS era—with its focus on legacy, transition, and personal evolution—could be the perfect environment to reintroduce a seasoned veteran.
Such a return could also bring older fans full circle, honoring JAG’s influence while introducing Harmon Rabb Jr. to a new generation. With CBS constantly searching for fresh-yet-familiar hooks to maintain franchise momentum, a Harm-centric crossover—or even a legacy mini-series—isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
The Final Verdict? Never Say Never
Elliott’s comments may not confirm anything concrete, but they do confirm one thing: he’s still got affection for the role and the world he helped build. And in a TV universe where fan campaigns can revive canceled shows and spin-offs can arrive decades later (Frasier, Dexter, Criminal Minds, to name a few), the door for Harmon Rabb Jr.’s comeback is far from closed.
Until then, fans can rewatch JAG and NCIS: Los Angeles on streaming, keeping their fingers crossed for one last salute. Because sometimes, the best characters never truly fade—they just await their next mission.
