Could Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs be calling the shots again — only this time from behind the camera?
Even though Mark Harmon stepped away from his iconic role in NCIS back in Season 19, the actor might not have strayed as far from the squad room as we all thought. Rumors have been swirling among fans and alleged crew insiders that Harmon has been quietly working on set… as a director.
The buzz started when an anonymous extra claimed on social media that they’d spotted Harmon “in full director mode” during a late-night shoot in Los Angeles. “He wasn’t dressed like Gibbs — no suit, no badge — but he was leaning over the monitors, giving notes, and joking with the cast between takes,” the extra wrote.
Fuel was added to the fire when a blurry photo, supposedly taken on the NCIS backlot, surfaced online. The shot shows a man with Harmon’s familiar silver hair seated in the director’s chair, chatting with Sean Murray (McGee) and Katrina Law (Jessica Knight). The photo has yet to be verified, but fans aren’t waiting for confirmation.
Adding to the intrigue, a crew member — speaking to an entertainment blog “on condition of anonymity” — hinted that the finale’s script has “a very classic Gibbs vibe.” According to the source, “There’s more coffee. There’s more silence in the right places. And yes… the head slaps are back.”
CBS, of course, is playing coy. When asked for comment, a network spokesperson simply said: “We love Mark and he’ll always be part of the NCIS family. As for directing — no comment.”
This vague non-answer has only sent speculation into overdrive. Could Harmon’s secret directing gig also pave the way for a surprise Gibbs cameo? Some die-hard fans think the finale could close with a familiar figure in a boat shop in Alaska picking up a phone — or maybe even walking back into the bullpen one last time.
Whether it’s a one-off behind-the-camera visit or a stealthy setup for Gibbs’ return, the idea of Harmon guiding the season finale has reignited the NCIS fandom. As one Twitter user put it: “If Mark Harmon’s directing, you KNOW someone’s getting head-slapped into next week — and I’ll be watching.”
One thing’s for sure: if this rumor turns out to be true, the finale could end up being the most nostalgic hour of NCIS in years.
