Mark Harmon’s Gibbs is leaving Alaska behind. CBS dropped the trailer for “NCIS: Origins” Season 3 on Tuesday, and it shows the veteran agent packing a bag, boarding a boat, and telling his dog it’s “time to get to work.”
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in,” Harmon’s Gibbs announces in the clip. The present-day version of the character then walks into what looks like his old Major Case Response Team office. Those orange walls are unmistakable.
Harmon will appear in every episode of the new season. He played Gibbs for more than 18 seasons on “NCIS” before stepping away in Season 19, when his character chose to stay in remote Alaska rather than return to the job. He previously showed up as the older Gibbs in the “NCIS: Origins” premiere and in the November 2025 crossover with “NCIS.”
The Trailer’s Big Moments
The Season 3 trailer also gives fans a look at the younger characters. Young Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, and Lala, played by Mariel Molino, are seen getting close, sharing more kisses after their big Season 2 finale moment.
Randy, the beloved NCIS agent played by Caleb Foote, also appears. He was taken at the end of Season 2, and his face in the trailer looks beat and battered. Dr. Ducky, played by Adam Campbell, shows up too, working with the NCIS team once again.
The season premiere is titled “Don’t You Forget About Me.” It is partially set in the present day.
| Character | Actor | Role in Season 3 Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Gibbs (older) | Mark Harmon | Leaves Alaska, returns to work |
| Gibbs (young) | Austin Stowell | Kisses Lala again |
| Lala | Mariel Molino | Kisses Gibbs again |
| Randy | Caleb Foote | Taken, shown battered |
| Dr. Ducky | Adam Campbell | Works with the NCIS team |
What the Show’s Description Says
The official description for the premiere explains the setup. Ghosts from Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ past finally catch up to him, shattering his peaceful retirement in Alaska.
Back in 1992, the story continues with another thread. The team races to rescue a taken Randy while Gibbs and Lala deal with the results of their kiss.
Episode Count and Premiere Date
“NCIS: Origins” Season 3 will air just 10 episodes. It premieres on Tuesday, October 6, at 10/9c.
Harmon’s return is the big draw here. He anchored “NCIS” for nearly two decades. Now the prequel is pulling him back into the story.
What is clear is that Harmon is fully back. Every episode of the season will feature him.
The younger cast remains central too. Stowell and Molino carry the 1992 storyline, and their characters’ relationship is clearly moving forward after that Season 2 kiss.
Randy’s disappearance gives the team a clear mission. The trailer shows him in rough shape, which raises the stakes for the rescue.
The premiere title, “Don’t You Forget About Me,” hints at the theme. The past is coming back for Gibbs, and it will not let him stay retired.
Fans will have to wait until October 6 to see how it all plays out. The trailer sets the stage, but the answers come with the season.
Source: tvline.com
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