2024 looks to be the year for NCIS fans, with multiple new series spinoffs set to join the slate.
NCIS would not have been possible without the original spinoffs NCIS: Los Angeles (which aired for 14 seasons) and NCIS: New Orleans (cancelled in 2021 after seven seasons). Loyal fans may feel disappointed.
But we were happy to see longtime agent Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) share the screen with his Hawaiian costar on the canceled spinoff NCIS: Hawaii . Even better news is new series spin-offs NCIS: Cindy (renewed for a second season) and NCIS: Origins .
We’ll also get to see the continuation of the love story between DiNozzo and David in NCIS: Tony and Ziva later in 2024-2025.
Here’s everything we know about the upcoming prequel NCIS: Origins.
What is NCIS: Origins?
NCIS: Origins is a 1990s drama that follows Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a NCIS officer at Camp Pendelton The story of a new agent.
This NCIS prequel will give viewers an inside look into the life of the aloof Gibbs. It will also help us better understand the hard-nosed Navy agent played by Mark Harmon on the original NCIS, now in its 21st season.
In addition to Agent Gibbs being the newbie, we also get to see the development of his partnership with his mentor, NCIS legend Mike Franks.
What will NCIS: Origins be about?
“NCIS: Origins” will follow Gibbs’ transformation from Marine to federal agent in 1991.
Rather than seeing Gibbs as the man in charge—who occasionally teams up with former NCIS agent Mike Franks—we see Gibbs as the rookie on a ragtag team of agents.
This time, Franks was the one calling the shots. As a die-hard loyalist, I wonder if we’ll get to see the origins of Gibb’s famous head-slap. Did he ever get the same treatment from his mentor?
So what about his infamous rules? We know that He created them through His own life experiences. So, will these episodes show us the events leading up to the rule?
If you know the history of the Gibbs family, you might be wondering if we get to see him become a father. Unfortunately, Origins begins shortly after the death of the first Mrs. Gibbs, Shannon, and her daughter Kelly in a car accident.
The storyline of Gibbs avenging his death continued throughout Mark Harmon’s 19 seasons as Jethro on the original NCIS series. He finally found peace after quitting in Season 19 following a case in Alaska.
In NCIS Season 19 Episode 4, we see Gibbs staying in Alaska after completing his last case.
“This feeling of peace; I haven’t experienced anything like it since Shannon and Kelly passed away, and I’m not ready to give it up yet.
Executive producers and co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal had this to say about Origins:
“This is truly Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ masterpiece. Even the most dedicated NCIS fans will find that they don’t understand the entire story.
As huge NCIS fans, we accept this challenge! We thought we knew this character pretty well, but now we’re excited to see what secrets remain!
How many episodes are there in NCIS: Origins?
“NCIS: Origins” will have a shorter format than its predecessor, with only 13 episodes in the first season to test the waters. It’s unclear whether the show will add more episodes in future seasons.
The original NCIS series introduced Gibbs and the rest of the cast, including Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David (who will get their own show this fall), in 20-episode seasons.
The spin-off series “NCIS: Hawaii” Season 2 has 22 episodes, but “NCIS: Sydney” only has 8 episodes. Technically, “Sydney” was never supposed to air in the U.S., but CBS won the rights to make up for the lack of programming during the 2023 writers’ strike.
NCIS: Cindy has just been renewed for a second season, much to the delight of American and Australian viewers. NCIS: Hawaii has received a cancellation and will not return in the fall lineup.
The strike resulted in the cancellation of many shows, with most other shows pushed back from their normal fall release dates, including “NCIS.”
Who is the cast of NCIS: Origins?
Many NCIS fans would like to see the original cast of Gibb’s past life reprise their roles. We are excited to announce that in addition to young Gibbs, we will also be welcoming young Mike Franks and Vera Strickland.
Sadly, Mark Harmon won’t be appearing in the show, although he will speak in a narrator’s capacity. He will be personally involved in the project as an executive producer.
David Stapf, president of CBS Studios, said:
“Viewers can look forward to Mark Harmon returning to CBS to tell the complex and mysterious backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early years in NCIS: Origins, which will build on the character’s rich legacy. while reintroducing fan-favorite characters and meeting new ones.”
Sean Harmon, Mark’s son, will also serve as EP.
Sean played young Gibbs in the first few episodes of NCIS. However, he won’t be reprising the role in Origins. Instead, he will work behind the scenes with his father.
This series was actually his brainchild and we have to thank him for bringing more Gibbs into our lives!
Actor Austin Stowell will inherit the legacy of the brilliant Jethro Gibbs.
Stowell is known for his roles in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Hate Game, Breathe and Friends of the Family (Peacock).
We’ve also seen him with Hugh Laurie and George Clooney in “Catch-22,” Tom Hanks in “Bridge of Spies,” and Emma in “Battle of the Sexes.” Stone appeared alongside big stars like “12”‘s Chris Hemsworth.
Kyle Schmid will play the role of Mike Franks, a Texan with a big personality and a perfect mustache.
Schmid is known for her roles in Big Sky (ABC), Being Human (Syfy), and Copper (BBC America), and has had roles in The Rookie, Arrow, Smallville, The Accused ” and “CSI: Miami” and other shows.
His films include “The Cheetah Girls,” “Covenant,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “The Pacifier,” starring “Fire Nation” actor Max Terrio (Baud Leonnel).
We get to play new character Agent Lala Dominguez, an extra from Promised Land, Watchful Eyes, and Glee, who plays the charming Mariel Mor Mariel Molina.
Deadline exclusively reports that two additional actors have been added.
Tyra Abercrombie and Diana Rodriguez have joined the cast, reprising their roles from previous appearances in the NCIS universe.
Abercrombie will play Field Operations Support Officer Mary Jo, who may be in trouble, but is also “The Lifeblood of the Camp Pendleton Office“.
In a world where acronyms dominate, this “mama bear” chooses to call herself “HSIC: Supervising Secretary“. She knows a lot about the department’s history and is willing to share all her secrets to solve cases.
Deadline also provided details about Rodriguez’s character, Agent Vera Strickland, who was introduced in NCIS Season 11 Episode 1. Played by Roma Maffia.
Stickland doesn’t take any bullshit and doesn’t beat around the bush. The veteran agent from Brooklands has been undervalued her entire career because “Misogynistic idiots (as she calls them)” And bring the fight right to their doorstep without a doubt.
More names added to the talent list include:
- Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez
- Patrick Fischler as Agent in Charge Cliff Walker
- Caleb Martin Ford as Special Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolph
- Daniel Bellomy as Agent Granville “Grandma” Dawson
- Julian Blackrock as Chief Medical Examiner Kai Blackrock
- Lori Petty as Assistant Medical Examiner and Pathologist Dr. Lenora Friedman
- Bobby Moynihan as Chief Forensic Analyst Woodrow “Woody” Browne
- Robert Taylor as Jackson Gibbs (Jethro’s father)
Be sure to check out our extensive NCIS Origins cast and character guide for the latest updates on all the new talent set to join our favorite NCIS agents.
Has the trailer for NCIS: Origins been released?
If you’re equally eager to see where it all began for “Gibbs” and “NCIS,” check out the trailer for “NCIS: Origins.” It has it all, from a great score to Mark Harmon’s narration to the grittier, more personal side of Gibbs’ life.
The trailer ticks all the boxes we imagined for the series. Get ready, NCIS fans, because we’re about to see a side of Jethro we never thought we’d see.
It’s dark. It’s emotional. There’s more action than ever before. Most importantly, this is Gibbs’ work before he became a hardcore, closeted tough guy.
We’re predicting right now: this will be the series’ biggest success ever. Well, except for the mothership!
check it out.
When is the release date for NCIS: Origins?
Gibbs fans, get ready, Origins will be available on Monday, October 14th as part of the fall lineup.
But watch out, folks, because the first episode will air on September 8th, and NCIS airs on August 7th. Suffice it to say, the two-hour premiere will introduce fans to the land.
However, starting with its second episode, “Origins” will fill the 10/9c time slot that previously belonged to “NCIS: Hawaii.” The time change will also affect “NCIS,” which will air starting with its second episode on September 8.
We’re also looking forward to the latest spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, starring Corte de Pablo and Michael Weatherly as former NCIS agents DiNozzo and David ( and daughter Tully).
Where can I watch NCIS: Origins?
Fans will be able to watch the Gibbs profile series live on CBS and with a premium subscription on Paramount+.
It will also be available on Paramount+ the day after it airs.
Be sure to follow TV Fanatic to stay up to date on any other changes and news about your favorite NCIS agents.
