NCIS: Origins co-creator David J. North has revealed that Mark Harmon does not recall a key detail long associated with the character. Despite portraying Leroy Jethro Gibbs for nearly two decades, the actor doesn’t remember his character’s well-known rules. The revelation, shared during a recent discussion about the franchise, comes as a surprise to viewers.
David J. North humorously recalls what Mark Harmon doesn’t know about his NCIS role
NCIS: Origins co-creator David J. North has offered a light, behind-the-scenes story about Mark Harmon in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. While recording Harmon’s brief voiceover for the NCIS/NCIS: Origins crossover, North discovered that the actor who portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs for nearly two decades does not actually remember the franchise’s famous rulebook.
North explained that the episode’s storyline is based on Rule No. 11, prompting him to bring it up during the session. The creator recalled, “We were in the sound studio doing Mark’s voiceover with him the other day.”
He continued, “I was talking to him about what this is in episode 5, how so much of it is based on rule No. 11, ‘When the job’s over, walk away.’ And he said, ‘Man, the fans walk up to me nonstop and ask me about those rules.’”
When North asked if Harmon could name even one of them, the actor responded, “There’s one about a knife.” The creator jokingly warned that this revelation might “destroy some fans’ hearts.”
North and fellow co-creator Gina Lucita Monreal noted that the crossover delves into one of Gibbs’ core values: his unwavering drive to fight for victims, even at the cost of stepping beyond boundaries.
Gibbs’ rules have been a consistent part of NCIS since the early seasons, repeated by characters and referenced across various storylines. Over time, the show has featured more than 40 of these guidelines.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
