Mark Harmon writing book inspired by real history of NCIS

” I feel compelled to take part in opening up the history.”

Former NCIS lead actor Mark Harmon has announced his new project: co-writing a book about the history of the predecessor of the real-life NCIS.

The actor, who played Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the show between 2003 and 2021, will release Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor on November 14.

Written alongside tech advisor/former Special Agent Leon Carroll Jr, the book will chronicle the story of a World War II operation led by ONI, also known as Office of Naval Intelligence – the Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s predecessor.

Related: NCIS star explains how Mark Harmon exit changed their character

The book will tell the story of Douglas Wada, a Japanese-American agent (the only one working in naval intelligence at the time), and Takeo Yoshikawa, a spy sent to gather information on the US for Japan

The synopsis teases that the book will follow them both as they play “cat-and-mouse games” in the lead up to the war, and specifically the tragic events of Pearl Harbour.

Harmon is quoted as saying (via TVLine): “I feel compelled to take part in opening up the history and real story of what became NCIS. When I first started this show, there was not much information to be found by research.

Related: NCIS‘ Australian spinoff casts ex-Neighbours star Mavournee Hazel

“NCIS agents are public servants at the highest level and many have come and gone through this life with no one knowing anything about who they are or what they do,” Harmon added. “And now that story gets told. All because of a TV show.”

Although Gibbs hasn’t been seen on screen for a while, the show has had him helping his team off-screen, while Harmon is still involved as an executive producer.

Meanwhile, you can find out why everyone who quit NCIS did so right here.

NCIS airs on CBS in the US. Seasons 1-20 are streaming on Disney+ in the UK.