Season 13 of "NCIS" is shaping up as the best of both worlds for many die-hard fans of the series.

Reports say, not only is longtime star Mark Harmon a lock to be back as Agent Jethro Gibbs, but rising star Michael Weatherly is almost just as assured of carving out a bigger niche for himself this season.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Harmon recently signed on for another season, though show-runner Gary Glasberg was quite vague about what could come of him over the long haul given he suffered at least two gunshot wounds at the end of last season fired by Luke Harris while the team was in Iraq tracking a terrorist group.

Glasberg stressed to THR no matter what happens with Gibbs "the team will be there for each other as they go through the long-term and psychological effects of what happened."

Meanwhile, in previous interviews, Glasberg has hinted that Weatherly's Senior Special Agent Tony DiNozzo character, already Gibbs' second in command, could be primed to take over at the controls, at least while Gibbs is recuperating.

Season 12 already saw him in contact with the head of The Calling, Daniel Budd (Giles Matthey), so it wouldn't be surprising that DiNozzo would finally to be looked to and counted on as the unquestioned leader.

"NCIS" Season 13 is set to premiere on Sept. 22, and Season 12 is now available in CBS All Access.

Before signing on for another season, Harmon teased the prospect of what the show might look like without him by telling "The Late Late Show with James Corden" host that the series "births characters leaving" during a recent guest appearance.

Later, he added. "It's not my choice, number one, but I think anybody is replaceable."