As the NCIS universe continues to dominate primetime television with a growing web of spin-offs and origin stories, fans of the franchise’s parent show JAG have been quietly wondering: could the military legal drama that started it all be ready for a courtroom comeback?
It’s been 20 years since JAG signed off the airwaves in April 2005 and 30 years since its debut in September 1995. Now, as the show hits these milestone anniversaries, star David James Elliott — the face of Navy Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. — is weighing in on a question that’s long lingered in the minds of fans and industry insiders alike: Could JAG be the next beloved classic to get the reboot treatment?
“Never Say Never” in Hollywood
Catching up with Entertainment Weekly at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend, Elliott offered a glimmer of hope.
“I mean, there’s always a chance,” he said with a smile. “Don Bellisario is still alive. It’s his 90th birthday coming up. And this was his vision from the beginning. Certainly, I think it would be interesting.”
Bellisario, a revered name in television thanks to Magnum P.I., Quantum Leap, NCIS, and of course JAG, has always been a creative force to watch. And with age clearly not slowing him down, Elliott’s comment hints that the franchise’s original mastermind still has more stories to tell.
But what about Elliott himself? Would he return as Harm — now older, wiser, and perhaps at a new rank within the military justice system?
“I would be down for it,” Elliott admitted. “But I don’t know if it involves me. You know those reboots — they go, ‘Yeah, thank you. We got new guys!’”
It’s a fair point. The reboot trend in Hollywood often leans toward younger casts and modern reimaginings, sometimes leaving original stars out of the equation. But the thought of bringing Elliott back in a mentor role — or even leading a new generation of JAG officers — has undeniable appeal for longtime viewers.
JAG: The Unsung Architect of the NCIS Universe
Though often overshadowed by its high-octane offspring, JAG is the true origin story of the NCIS empire. The show laid the groundwork for the military procedural universe fans now know so well. NCIS itself debuted through a backdoor pilot on JAG in 2003, and since then, the brand has grown into a global TV powerhouse with series like NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: Hawai’i, and the prequel NCIS: Origins currently in the works.
David James Elliott, along with Catherine Bell (Lt. Col. Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie), helped shape that legacy. And while JAG was a legal drama at its core, it never shied away from action, romance, or political intrigue — elements that still define the franchise today.
Several years ago, Elliott and Bell even revisited their JAG roles during a surprise two-episode arc on NCIS: Los Angeles — something that wasn’t just a fan-pleaser, but also came from a very personal place for the actor.
“I did that because of R. Scott Gemmill, who was a writer in the first two seasons of JAG,” Elliott told TV Insider this month. “He’s still a friend of mine. I pitched an idea to him, and he liked it. We were talking about maybe taking the Harm character and doing something with him or similar to it, and then he goes, ‘Yeah, but why don’t we do this?’ And I went, ‘Oh, great.’ It was fun.”
Will Harm Ever Step into NCIS Headquarters?
Elliott currently stars on Revival, a supernatural thriller series for Syfy, but fans still speculate whether Harm could one day cross over again — perhaps into the mothership NCIS series.
But the actor isn’t so sure. “I don’t see that happening,” he admitted. “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.”
It’s the kind of cautious optimism that leaves the door wide open — especially in a franchise known for surprise appearances, unexpected resurrections, and full-circle storytelling. Could JAG return as a limited series? A streaming revival? Or even a feature-length movie that reunites the iconic duo of Harm and Mac?
The Fans Are Ready. Is CBS?
As reboots and revivals continue to sweep television — from Frasier to Dexter, Gilmore Girls to Full House — it’s clear the appetite for nostalgia-fueled storytelling hasn’t waned. In fact, many argue JAG is one of the few legacy shows left that hasn’t been revived in full.
With CBS already committed to expanding the NCIS world, a return to the courtroom drama that birthed it could provide a fresh — yet familiar — perspective. And with David James Elliott still game to don the uniform, the only real question is: Who’s ready to say, “Dismissed!” once more?
JAG at a Glance
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Original Run: 1995–2005
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Episodes: 227
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Spin-Off: NCIS (2003–present)
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Notable Cast: David James Elliott, Catherine Bell, John M. Jackson, Patrick Labyorteaux
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Streaming: All episodes available now on Paramount+
Stay tuned, because if the winds of nostalgia blow just right, JAG could be headed back to port.
