The prequel series premieres its 10-episode third season on October 6, airing at 10 PM ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, with “NCIS: Sydney” scheduled to take over the time slot at midseason.
Mark Harmon Returns to the “NCIS” Franchise Full-Time
After stepping away from the mothership “NCIS” series five years ago in 2021 after 19 seasons, Harmon is stepping back in from Gibbs’ retirement in Alaska. According to interviews with the actor published by Yahoo Entertainment, Harmon worked closely with producers on his original exit strategy, which included an Alaska storyline written by showrunner and current “Origins” executive producer David J. North. That storyline left Gibbs in remote retirement following a fly-fishing trip.
For Season 3, North pitched a 45-minute concept at Paramount Studios involving a returning mystery tied to Gibbs’ 1990s Camp Pendleton days, which forces the character to leave Alaska to investigate. Both Harmon and Stowell will appear separately in their respective timelines, with Harmon also providing the show’s voiceover narration.
Two Generations of Gibbs on the “NCIS: Origins” Set
The prequel series explores the early career of Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 1990s Camp Pendleton. Austin Stowell plays the younger Gibbs, a casting choice supported directly by Harmon. According to Yahoo Entertainment, Harmon’s son, Sean Harmon—who previously played young Gibbs in flashbacks on the original series—originally suggested the prequel concept and serves as an executive producer alongside his father.
Describing the atmosphere on the Los Angeles set, Harmon told Yahoo Entertainment that the energy among the cast and crew is palpable. The production team even created special T-shirts featuring the phrase “Grip it and rip it,” which Stowell described to Yahoo Entertainment as the official mantra for the upcoming episodes.
Broadcast Schedule and Network Details
Season 3 consists of 10 episodes, a shortened order compared to full broadcast seasons of the past. Network executives positioned the premiere for October 6 on CBS, with simultaneous availability on Paramount+. As part of the network’s midseason schedule adjustments, “NCIS: Sydney” will step into the time slot later in the broadcast year.
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