As the highly-anticipated Season 21 of CBS’s enduring series, NCIS, approaches, fans are abuzz with speculations about Mark Harmon’s potential return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The absence of Gibbs since Season 19 has left viewers eager to see if he might make a brief comeback, especially in light of the recent passing of David McCallum, who portrayed Ducky, the chief medical examiner for two decades.

However, despite the fervent hopes of fans, Mark Harmon has made it clear that he’s not privy to any plans for Gibbs’ return to the show. In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight on November 16, Harmon expressed uncertainty about his NCIS role revival. While Season 21 is set to kick off with a February 12, 2024 premiere, production has yet to begin. Given that Harmon still serves as an executive producer on the series, there’s a chance he’s withholding information for a surprise twist, but that’s purely speculation at this point.

Harmon hinted that Gibbs may have retired to Alaska and could be enjoying a quiet life, possibly indulging in his favorite pastime of fishing. For devoted NCIS fans, Gibbs’ affinity for bourbon and boat-building in his basement is a well-known trait. The mystery of how Gibbs moved those massive boats out of his basement was solved in an episode titled “Great Wide Open,” where it was revealed that he removed bricks from the wall to transport the completed boats.

Notably, Mark Harmon isn’t the only one keeping tight-lipped about Gibbs’ possible return or his current whereabouts. Series showrunner Steven D. Binder prefers to keep Gibbs’ post-NCIS life wrapped in secrecy, allowing fans to let their imaginations run wild about his off-screen adventures.

However, if Mark Harmon were to make a return, even briefly, fans would undoubtedly welcome his presence, especially to bid a proper farewell to David McCallum’s beloved character, Ducky, given their long-standing on-screen and off-screen camaraderie. The mystery of Gibbs’ future continues to captivate NCIS enthusiasts, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the upcoming season.