NCIS: Origins - What to Know About the New CBS Spin-Off and Franchise History

Austin Stowell as young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS: Origins Premieres Monday, Oct 14 2024 on CBS Paramount+ Courtesy of CBS Studios

NCIS: Origins is the highly anticipated new spin-off from the world-famous NCIS franchise. The series will take viewers back to the early days of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a beloved character from the flagship NCIS series.

Here's everything you need to know about this exciting addition to the NCIS universe, starting with the when and where.

Premiering on CBS and Paramount Plus, NCIS: Origins will debut on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 9 PM as part of CBS Premiere Week and will move to its regular time slot at 10 PM starting Monday, October 21, 2024, following the 22nd season premiere of NCIS. This new series will air weekly on CBS and livestream on Paramount Plus for premium subscribers and will be available the next day for non-premium subscribers.

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(L to R): Brian Dietzan of NCIS and Austin Stowell of NCIS: Origins, at the Fall Schedule Celebration event for CBS' 2024-2025 primetime lineup at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on May 2, 2024. Photo- Sonja Flemming/CBS

NCIS: Origins is set in 1991 and follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell. The series explores Gibbs' early days as a freshly minted special agent at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office.

Origins will be narrated by Mark Harmon, who famously played Gibbs in the original NCIS series for over 18 years, and will also serve as the series' executive producer. This prequel offers fans a chance to see how Gibbs forged his place in a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks, played by Kyle Schmid.

(L to R): Executive Producer Sean Harmon, Austin Stowell and Executive Producer Mark Harmon from ’NCIS: Origins’ attend the CBS New Fall Schedule Celebration event to announce CBS' 2024-2025 primetime lineup at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on May 2, 2024. Photo Courtesy of Francis Specker/CBS

Initially, Mark Harmon's son, Sean Harmon, who had played a younger version of the franchise's iconic character in the original series, was cast to play the young Gibbs. However, the role was later recast with Austin Stowell taking on the lead role.

Although Sean Harmon will no longer act in the prequel, he will continue to be part of the production team as an executive producer, alongside his father. When the series order was announced, Harmon (Jr) said this about the newest installment in the NCIS franchise-

"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. 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."

(L to R): Austin Stowell, Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, Diany Rodriguez, and Mark Harmon-Cast of NCIS Origins

The series features a skilled ensemble that will no doubt bring a new yet familiar dynamic to the NCIS franchise:

• Austin Stowell as young Leroy Jethro Gibbs

• Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks

• Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez

• Tyla Abercrumbie as Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Sullivan

• Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland

• Mark Harmon as the Narrator

CBS Studios recently announced that Origins has also added to the cast Julian Black Antelope (The Secret History Of: The Wild West) as Kai Blackrock, Dollar Tan (NCIS: Hawai'i, FBI), Patrick Fischler (Happy!) as Cliff Walker, Daniel Roebuck (9-1-1) as Artie, and Logmire's Robert Taylor as Jackson Gibbs.

Mark Harmon, Sean Harmon, David J. North, and Gina Lucita Monreal serve as executive producers. North and Monreal also co-write the premiere episode and act as co-showrunners. CBS Studios produces the series.

(Cast & Crew)

Tyla Abercrumbie, Mariel Molino, Kyle Schmid, Austin Stowell, Executive Producers Mark Harmon, David J. North, Gina Monreal and Sean Harmon with cast Caleb Foote from ‘NCIS: Orgins’ attend the CBS New Fall Schedule Celebration event to announce CBS' 2024-2025 primetime lineup at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on May 2, 2024. Image Courtesy of Francis Specker/CBS

See Austin Stowell transform to Leroy Jethro Gibbs

(L to R) Gary Cole, Katrina Law, Rocky Carroll, Sean Murray, Brian Dietzen, Wilmer Valderrama, Diona Reasonover, and Chris O’Donnell at the 1,000th Episode cake-cutting celebration on the set of NCIS during the taping of the 1000th episode on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024.

The NCIS franchise originated from the legal drama JAG (Judge Advocate General), which focused on the military legal justice system. The series ran from 1995 to 2005.

During season 8 of JAG, the NCIS team was first introduced in a two-part episode called Ice Queen and Meltdown. This backdoor pilot received positive feedback in 2003, resulting in the development of the NCIS series. Now, 21 years later, the franchise marked a significant milestone by reaching its 1,000th episode on April 15, 2024.

This milestone encompasses episodes from NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai'i, and NCIS: Sydney. The episode, titled "A Thousand Yards," features special appearances by Daniela Ruah (NCIS: Los Angeles) and Vanessa Lachey (NCIS: Hawai'i). This achievement highlights the enduring popularity and global impact of the franchise.

CBS offered up this fun fact: Binge-watching the 1,000 episodes of the NCISverse back-to-back without breaks would take about 42,722 minutes – or just under 30 full days!

NCIS: Tony & Ziva series, featuring Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly: Image Courtesy Of CBS Studios

NCIS has become a global phenomenon, available in 200 markets and more than 60 languages. The franchise includes several successful spin-offs:

• NCIS: Los Angeles

• NCIS: New Orleans

• NCIS: Hawai'i

• NCIS: Sydney

• NCIS: Origins

The upcoming NCIS: Tony & Ziva series, featuring Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly, is currently in production and will further expand the franchise.

(L to R) Scott Bakula as Dwayne Pride, Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nicholas 'Nick' Torres, and Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant. (L-R) Images Courtesy of Sonja Flemming/CBS and Karen Neal/CBS

The NCIS franchise is known for having exciting crossover episodes, where characters from different NCIS series team up to solve cases. It will be interesting to see if Origins can pull off something that will allow for a flashback or time capsule crossover storyline. Or maybe a case in the present day has eerie similarities to a case from the 1990s, leading to a parallel investigation in both timelines.

NCIS: Origins promises to be a compelling addition to the NCIS franchise, offering fans a deeper look into the early career of one of the series' most iconic characters. With a talented cast, experienced production team, and rich storytelling, NCIS: Origins is set to captivate audiences and continue the legacy of the NCIS universe.

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