NCIS fans, brace yourselves for an exciting new chapter in the franchise. Back in 2021, the departure of Mark Harmon from the show after 19 seasons left many heartbroken. However, there’s good news on the horizon. CBS has announced a new series titled NCIS: Origins, set to premiere during the 2024-2025 broadcast television season. This prequel will delve into the early years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with Mark Harmon narrating and serving as an executive producer alongside his son, Sean Harmon.
Sean Harmon, who previously portrayed a younger version of Gibbs on the original show, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “The character of Gibbs has been an important part of my life for 20 years, both in watching my father craft the role and previously having the honor to play young Gibbs myself,” he said. “I always felt there was a tale worth telling about his earlier years, so I am thrilled to be stepping into a producing role alongside Gina, David, and my dad as we tell this story and reveal a new side of this beloved character.”
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, echoed this excitement. “We are elated and honored to continue the expansion of the NCIS universe in such a unique and unexpected way,” she said. “Viewers can look forward to Mark Harmon returning to CBS to narrate the complex and mysterious backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early years in NCIS: Origins, which will build on the rich legacy of this character while reintroducing fan-favorite characters and meeting new ones.”
NCIS: Origins will take place in 1991, focusing on Gibbs as a new special agent at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office. He will have to prove his place on a “ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.” While other plot details remain under wraps, several cast announcements have already been made.
The series is set to premiere on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 10 p.m. ET. A video posted on Instagram on July 13 gave fans a sneak peek, showing Austin Stowell transforming into a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs. “Gear up, probie — we’re throwing it all the way back to the 90’s,” the caption read. “#NCISOrigins comes to you Monday, October 14 on CBS.”
Austin Stowell will play the younger version of Gibbs, stepping into the shoes of the character made famous by Mark Harmon. The show’s official Instagram celebrated the news with a post saying, “#NCISverse, meet Gibbs … again.” Mariel Molino will play the female lead, Special Agent Lala Dominguez, a former Marine navigating the male-dominated world of NCIS with “a steely resolve and dark sense of humor.” The duo’s dynamic promises to keep the audience guessing.
Kyle Schmid will portray young Mike Franks, the NCIS agent who leads the team Gibbs joins. Schmid expressed his excitement on Instagram, saying, “I’m absolutely thrilled for this. Cannot wait to bring this story to life and grateful to Muse Watson for crafting such a dynamic character. Truly wonderful writing and talented cast. Blown away.”
For those unfamiliar with Mike Franks, he is described as “a proud Texan who all but showers in his cowboy boots and sports a perfectly coiffed mustache that’s as thick as his skin.” He is a leader with a strong moral compass, determined to find justice by any means necessary. Muse Watson originally played Franks, who recurred throughout the first eight seasons of NCIS. Although the character was killed off in season 8, Gibbs often “saw him” again when he needed advice on tough cases.
While there isn’t an official trailer for NCIS: Origins yet, a first-look sneak peek posted on YouTube on May 2 showed Gibbs fishing in a lake, teasing the show’s debut on CBS this fall. “We know how his story ended,” the 10-second snippet teased. “Now, see how it all began.”
As for where to watch NCIS: Origins, fans can expect a fall premiere with episodes airing throughout the 2024-2025 TV season on CBS. Given that other iterations of the franchise also drop new episodes on Paramount+, it’s likely that NCIS: Origins will air on the streamer as well. Paramount+ offers plans starting at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year, allowing fans to watch on the Paramount+ website or app.
In a recent interview with ET Online, Mark Harmon shared his thoughts on potentially returning to NCIS. “He’s probably sitting in a stream up in Alaska fishing. Is he going to get out of the stream? I don’t know. But if he is, I don’t know about it,” Harmon said, leaving the door open for a possible return.
As NCIS season 20 wrapped up, there were high hopes for cameos from fan-favorite characters like Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo. Unfortunately, the season focused on its current crew, with none of the aforementioned characters making an appearance. However, the possibility of Gibbs returning in future seasons remains, especially with the recent death of David McCallum, who played Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. A return from Gibbs could serve as a tribute to their friendship.
NCIS: Origins promises to be a thrilling addition to the franchise, offering fans a deeper look into the early years of one of television’s most beloved characters. With a talented cast and the involvement of both Mark and Sean Harmon, the series is set to captivate audiences when it premieres next fall.
Source: Deadline, Variety, ET Online
