The two series unite for a decades-spanning mystery premiering Veterans Day — with Gibbs back at the center of it all.
By Marisa Williams
Published 19 hours ago
NCIS is turning back the clock — and leaping forward — in an unprecedented crossover event that bridges generations of the beloved CBS franchise. For the first time since NCIS: Origins debuted, the flagship series and its prequel will collide in a special two-part story airing November 11 (Veterans Day).
The event kicks off with the Origins episode “Funny How Time Slips Away” and continues with NCIS’s “Now and Then.” Collider exclusively unveiled the extended crossover trailer, which reveals a major surprise: Mark Harmon is returning as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Two Cases. One Legacy.
In the Origins hour, a young Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) investigate the mysterious death of a naval officer in the 1990s. Their search takes them to the dust-blown town of Serenity, California — a place filled with secrets, uncooperative locals, and choices that will echo through decades.
Decades later, in NCIS, the modern-day team faces a prison break involving the same killer Gibbs and Franks once caught. As they reopen the old case, they bring in retired Special Agent Vera Strickland (Roma Maffia) to help them connect the dots — and uncover just how deep the past runs.
The official synopsis for the two episodes reads:
-
“Funny How Time Slips Away” (Origins) – When a naval officer mysteriously dies in the ‘90s, Gibbs and the team travel to Serenity, Calif., where they encounter secret-harboring residents, an uncooperative sheriff, and an investigation that reverberates for decades.
-
“Now and Then” (NCIS) – A prison break forces the team to reopen the same case Gibbs and Franks once investigated, enlisting the help of retired Special Agent Vera Strickland. Meanwhile, differing opinions emerge over what to include in a special Navy time capsule.
Mark Harmon’s Long-Awaited Return
The crossover trailer confirms what fans have been hoping for — Harmon’s Gibbs is back, seen reflecting on the case from his Alaskan home. While his appearance is brief in the promo, showrunner David J. North teases that there’s more beneath the surface:
“We know how much fans have missed seeing Mark and have wondered what Gibbs is up to today,” North says. “On November 11, Mark Harmon will return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the Origins hour of the crossover. We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say Gibbs is no longer alone.”
Harmon’s presence has also energized the cast. Kyle Schmid, who plays the younger Mike Franks, shared,
“When Mark said he’d come back to do Episode 5, we were all over the moon. His presence just elevates the show — it adds weight, history, and heart.”
A Crossover Like No Other
NCIS has never shied away from emotional storytelling, but this crossover takes things further — blending nostalgia, legacy, and mystery across two timelines. As Gibbs’ past collides with his future, fans will finally get answers about how one unsolved case shaped his life forever.
The NCIS x NCIS: Origins crossover event airs November 11 on CBS and streams next day on Paramount+.
