EXCLUSIVE: David J. North, NCIS: Origins showrunner and executive producer, has heard the NCIS fans’ excitement over the big upcoming Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly reunion in the Origins prequel, and now he’s teasing that more surprises are ahead. Deadline also has four new images from the upcoming third episode titled “Return of the Mack” below.
As I reported earlier this week, Harmon and Weatherly‘s franchise characters will meet again after a decade in the prequel, where Harmon is appearing for a season-long arc. Fans should tune in to the October 20th episode to watch as Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Harmon) returns to NCIS’ D.C. headquarters to enlist the help of new director Tony DiNozzo (Weatherly) after Gibbs was shot by unknown assailants in the Origins Season 3 premiere.
Weatherly’s return to the mothership series was announced back in July and took place in the Season 24 premiere on October 6. Our Q&A with North can be found below.
DEADLINE: How did this come about? Was it a coincidence since the timing worked out with Mark and Michael returning to the franchise?
DAVID J. NORTH: When we decided to do a present-day storyline with Mark, one of the first things we discussed was which characters the fans would most love to see Mark reunite with. And, of course, DiNozzo was at the top of our list. We’re so glad it all worked out. It’s an episode no NCIS fan will want to miss.
DEADLINE: Will any friendly head-slapping be had? Or is it time for us to accept that Gibbs and DiNozzo are too grown now for all that?
NORTH: No head-slapping this time. DiNozzo is Director now, and they’re both at totally different points in their lives. The head-slapping will live in perpetuity in reruns, though!
DEADLINE: Will Michael only appear in the one episode this season, or will there be more?
NORTH: DiNozzo will only be in this episode, but we have lots of incredible surprises in store.
DEADLINE: How does this open up the possibility for any other crossovers, if at all?
NORTH: You’ll just have to stay tuned to see.
DEADLINE: DiNozzo will help Gibbs solve a big mystery. How will this help Gibbs in the long run, and is this part of the mystery that will run all season?
NORTH: [In the Oct. 13 episode] Woody (Bobby Moynihan) helped Gibbs reconstruct the fingerprint, only to find that the guy is in the system but his profile’s buried in red tape. Gibbs knows he’ll need help from someone with serious access and, luckily, DiNozzo, as the newly minted Director of NCIS, is just the man for the job. And yes, it’s a pivotal part of Gibbs’ season-long arc in 2026.
DEADLINE: Fans are really loving the young Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Lala (Mariel Molino) storyline. What can you tease about the big mystery behind why Lala is never mentioned on NCIS?
NORTH: That’s the big question, isn’t it? I can’t share too much, but I will say we’ll learn a shocking secret in the season finale that will shed some light on the Gibbs/Lala mystery.
DEADLINE: Young Gibbs goes undercover in the episode, and let’s just say that he slays! What can you share about that and Lala’s reaction to it all?
NORTH: We thought this would be a cool opportunity to show a side of Gibbs we normally don’t get to see. Normally, he’s very solid and dependable. A little set in his ways, maybe. And that’s something Lala calls him out on, which bothers him. So Gibbs is determined to prove her wrong and do something he maybe wouldn’t do otherwise.
DEADLINE: DiNozzo is back after the events of Tony and Ziva. Will we learn more about where they are now in the episode?
NORTH: Ziva (Cote de Pablo) is brought up in the episode. She’s such a huge part of Tony’s life, obviously, but for Gibbs, she also has a special place in his heart. And I think no matter how long they go without seeing each other, they’re always family.
DEADLINE: There will be a lot of Ducky (Adam Campbell) in this episode, which is always a good thing. What can we expect him to be tackling in the episode?
NORTH: Yes, we can never have enough Ducky in our lives. In this episode, Dr. Tango (Témet Téngalkat) and Dr. Friedman (Lori Petty) are out of town at a conference, so Ducky’s filling in as the medical examiner and brings a very unexpected guest with him.
Anything else I didn’t ask you that you’d like to tease?
NORTH: We’re so excited about what we’re cooking up this season. It’s really fun seeing our typical gruff Franks (Kyle Schmid) in a new light as he navigates a crush he has. Randy (Caleb Foote) is bringing so much heart as always. And Mary Jo (Tyla Abercrumbie) is full of surprises this year. Big things ahead. The fans won’t want to miss it.
