Could NCIS bring back one of its original roots from JAG? According to one of its earliest stars, the answer is: don’t count on it—but never say never.
David James Elliott, who played Harmon “Harm” Rabb Jr. on JAG, the military legal drama that launched the NCIS franchise, recently addressed whether he might return to the NCIS universe more than two decades after first appearing. Speaking with TV Insider to promote his new Syfy series Revival, Elliott gave a candid, if somewhat reluctant, response about donning the uniform again.
“I don’t see that happening,” he said, referring to a full-scale return to the franchise.
Still, Elliott didn’t rule it out entirely. He recalled his 2019 guest appearance on NCIS: Los Angeles, which reunited him with JAG co-star Catherine Bell. That cameo came to life thanks to NCIS: LA showrunner R. Scott Gemmill, a longtime friend and former JAG writer.
“I pitched an idea to him, and he liked it… It was fun. It’s fun to work with him,” Elliott said. “I don’t really know any of the people on NCIS, but I guess if they came to me, I certainly would consider it. So who knows?”
What It Means for the NCIS Franchise
Elliott and Bell’s 2019 appearance in NCIS: LA marked a nostalgic high point for longtime fans. Though their characters—Harm and Mac—didn’t receive a definitive resolution, their short-lived return provided a subtle but satisfying update on their complicated relationship.
Given NCIS’s ongoing success—it’s now heading into Season 23—there’s always a chance for a legacy cameo, especially for a major anniversary or milestone episode. However, with Mark Harmon no longer involved and the franchise having long established its own identity apart from JAG, another appearance from Harm seems unlikely unless the story really calls for it.
A Return Still on the Table — If the Story Is Right
For now, Elliott’s message is clear: he’s moved on, but he’s not opposed to returning—under the right circumstances.
“If they came to me, I certainly would consider it,” he emphasized. “It would just have to be the right idea.”
So while fans shouldn’t hold their breath for Harm to walk back into NCIS headquarters anytime soon, there’s still a glimmer of hope that JAG’s legacy might resurface again—perhaps for one more salute.
