It’s been nearly 30 years since JAG introduced audiences to Navy officer-turned-lawyer Harmon Rabb Jr., and now the man behind the iconic character is hinting that he might not be done with the uniform just yet.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, David James Elliott opened up about the possibility of reprising his beloved role on NCIS — the flagship series that technically owes its very existence to JAG. While Elliott made a brief return as Harm during a three-episode arc on NCIS: Los Angeles back in 2019, fans have long hoped that a more permanent comeback could be on the horizon.
So, what would it take for Harmon Rabb to walk back into the NCIS universe?
“I did that because of R. Scott Gemmill,” Elliott said, referring to the longtime NCIS: LA showrunner. “He was a writer on the first two seasons of JAG… we’re still friends. I pitched an idea to him, and he liked it.”
That idea eventually became Harm’s brief return on NCIS: LA — a nostalgic and emotionally charged mini-arc that delighted longtime fans. As for whether Elliott would don the uniform again for the main NCIS series?
“I don’t really know any of the people on NCIS,” he admitted. “But I guess if they came to me, I certainly would consider it. So who knows.”
A Legacy Nearly Three Decades in the Making
JAG first premiered in 1995 and ran for 10 successful seasons, totaling 227 episodes. Elliott’s Harmon Rabb Jr. — a former fighter pilot turned military attorney — was the heart of the series, which blended courtroom drama with naval operations in a way that few shows have since replicated. Initially airing on NBC before finding its permanent home on CBS, JAG carved a unique space in the procedural landscape with its patriotic tone, military authenticity, and “ripped-from-the-headlines” storytelling.
But perhaps its biggest legacy came in Season 8, when JAG introduced three characters who would go on to launch the NCIS juggernaut: Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo, and Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto. The backdoor pilot laid the groundwork for NCIS, which debuted in 2003 and is still going strong over 20 years later.
Could Harm Fly Again?
With NCIS continuing its streak as one of television’s most watched franchises — and new spinoffs like NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Tony & Ziva on the way — it’s not far-fetched to imagine Harmon Rabb Jr. reentering the narrative. His return could provide a powerful bridge between JAG’s legacy and the current generation of NCIS fans.
And while there’s no official plan in place, Elliott’s openness is sure to spark speculation. In a franchise built on tradition, loyalty, and long-running characters, bringing back a figure as foundational as Harm would be more than just fan service — it would be a full-circle moment decades in the making.
So whether it’s in D.C., a spinoff, or a surprise guest arc, the door remains open — and the fans are ready.
Catch up on JAG on Paramount+ and stream all 20+ seasons of NCIS now.
