Season 1 Cast of ‘NCIS: Origins’ Revealed – You Won’t Believe Who’s Joining the Team!

The NCIS universe is expanding with the addition of NCIS: Origins to the CBS Fall 2024-2025 lineup. This new chapter in the franchise tells the story of how Leroy Jethro Gibbs became an NCIS agent, set in 1991.

“We are thrilled and honored to continue expanding the NCIS universe in such a unique and unexpected way,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “Viewers can look forward to Mark Harmon’s return to CBS as he narrates the complex and mysterious backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early years in NCIS: Origins. The series will build on the rich legacy of this character while reintroducing fan-favorite characters and introducing new ones.”

The showrunners for NCIS: Origins are David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, both former writers from the original series.

“To have the opportunity to breathe new life into this character has been an honor and a thrill for us,” Monreal shared at the Television Critics Association panel. “We’re so excited to be producing alongside Mark Harmon and Sean Harmon.”

When Will NCIS: Origins Premiere?

NCIS: Origins has received a straight-to-series order for the 2024-2025 broadcast season. The series is set to premiere on Monday, October 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

What Is NCIS: Origins About?

NCIS: Origins will take viewers back to 1991, when Leroy Jethro Gibbs begins his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office. There, he finds his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.

“We’ve got a fresh and intriguing tone,” Monreal explained. “It’s an edgier, more modern feel, even though we’re set in 1991. The look is unlike anything you’ve seen on NCIS. While it retains the heart of what makes NCIS special, it’s presented in a different package that I think will be refreshing.”

Mark Harmon added, “The offices are Quonset huts and barracks in the hills. It’s a completely different feel and time, for sure.”

What Role Does Mark Harmon Play in NCIS: Origins?

Harmon will not appear on camera but will narrate the series and serve as an executive producer. His real-life son, Sean Harmon, who played a young Gibbs in flashbacks on the original series, will also serve as an executive producer. The two Harmons were instrumental in inspiring the new series.

“The character of Gibbs has been a significant part of my life for 20 years, both watching my father craft the role and having the honor to play young Gibbs myself,” Sean Harmon said in a statement. “I always believed there was a story to be told about his early years, so I’m thrilled to step into a producing role alongside Gina, David, and my dad as we explore a new side of this beloved character.”

How Much Attention Will Be Paid to the History Established on NCIS?

“We’re taking that very seriously,” North said. “We’ve encountered roadblocks at times, realizing, ‘Oh, we can’t do that because it was already established.’ But with persistence and collaboration, we’ve often found that overcoming these challenges leads to even more creative outcomes.”

Which NCIS Characters Will Appear in NCIS: Origins?

• Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Stowell shared at the TCA panel that he didn’t speak to Mark Harmon before his first audition, relying instead on the rich, complex scenes provided by David and Gina. “This Gibbs is dealing with the loss of his wife and child. He’s not the team leader everyone knows; he’s broken, searching for his identity and trying to ground himself in the world. When I went in for my screen test, Mark came up to me and said two words I’ll never forget: ‘Trust yourself.’”
• Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez: A new character, Dominguez is a former Marine with a dark sense of humor.
• Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks: Franks, Gibbs’ mentor who called him “probie,” is described as “a proud Texan who practically lives in his cowboy boots and sports a perfectly groomed mustache as thick as his skin. Franks is a born leader with an unwavering moral compass, determined to seek justice by any means necessary.”
• Tyla Abercrombie as Mary Jo Sullivan: Abercrombie portrays Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Sullivan, who has nicknamed herself the “HSIC” (Head Secretary in Charge).
• Robert Taylor as Jackson Gibbs: Taylor will recur as Leroy Jethro’s father.
• Daniel Bellomy as Granville “Granny” Dawson: Bellomy will recur as Special Agent Granville “Granny” Dawson, a probie working as the Evidence Custodian’s assistant.
• Caleb Foote as Benjamin “Randy” Randolf: Foote will recur as Special Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolf, the agency’s golden boy.
• Lori Petty as Dr. Lenora Friedman: Petty will play Dr. Lenora Friedman, the assistant medical examiner.
• Bobby Moynihan as Woody Browne: Moynihan will serve as the lead forensic analyst.

How Will the Time Period Affect the Stories in NCIS: Origins?

Given that NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, when forensic science wasn’t as advanced, the stories will rely more on character development rather than DNA evidence.

“We’re focusing more on character arcs because we don’t have the same forensic capabilities,” Monreal explained. “Our cases of the week will delve deeper into the personal lives of our investigators, allowing for a richer investment in our characters and their world. This new element will bring a fresh dynamic to the show.”