NCIS: Origins Season 3 Episode 3 photos preview “Return of the Mack,” airing tonight, Tuesday, October 20, from 10:00–11:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Mark Harmon reunites with Michael Weatherly, who guest stars as new NCIS Director Tony DiNozzo. Adam Campbell also returns as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.
The series stars Austin Stowell, Mariel Molino, Kyle Schmid, Tyla Abercrumbie, Diany Rodriguez and Caleb Foote, with Harmon playing the older Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Tonight’s episode follows investigations in the present and in 1992, bringing familiar faces into each timeline.
NCIS: Origins Season 3 Episode 3 Details
Episode
Season 3 Episode 3, “Return of the Mack”
Air Date
Tonight, Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time
10:00–11:00 p.m. ET/PT
Network
CBS
Guest Stars
Michael Weatherly as NCIS Director Tony DiNozzo; Adam Campbell as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard
Written By
Nichole Millard
Directed By
James Whitmore, Jr.
Gibbs Reunites With Tony DiNozzo
In the present-day story, Mark Harmon’s Gibbs turns to a longtime colleague for help identifying the person who shot him. Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo is now the NCIS director, making the reunion an important step in Gibbs’ search for answers.
The episode brings Harmon and Weatherly back together onscreen for the first time in 10 years, according to Paramount+’s official reunion preview. Their shared history gives tonight’s present-day investigation a particularly familiar partnership as Gibbs seeks Tony’s assistance.
Adam Campbell Returns as Ducky
In 1992, the team investigates the murder of a young Marine whose body is found on a beach with suspicious markings all over it. Adam Campbell returns as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard to help with the case.
The beach investigation brings Ducky into the earlier timeline while Gibbs’ reunion with Tony advances the present-day mystery. The official synopsis leaves both the significance of the Marine’s markings and the identity of Gibbs’ shooter unresolved.
Who Stars in NCIS: Origins?
Austin Stowell plays the younger Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Mariel Molino plays Lala Dominguez and Kyle Schmid plays Mike Franks. The ensemble also features Tyla Abercrumbie as Mary Jo Hayes, Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland and Caleb Foote as Bernard “Randy” Randolf.
“Return of the Mack” is written by Nichole Millard and directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
NCIS: Origins Season 3 Episode 3 Photos — “Return of the Mack”
NCIS: Origins Season 3 Episode 3 airs tonight, Tuesday, October 20, from 10:00–11:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Watch live with Paramount+ Premium, or stream on demand beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21, on any Paramount+ plan. Catch up with NCIS: Origins on Paramount+.
Thomas Miller is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Seat42F, covering television, movies and streaming entertainment. He launched Seat42F in 2007 and has spent nearly two decades covering the entertainment industry.
