Heartbreaking Twist: NCIS: Origins Casting News Deepens Mark Harmon’s Most Painful Loss!
A recent casting update for NCIS: Origins may add a new layer of tragedy to Mark Harmon’s iconic character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The upcoming CBS spinoff, which explores Gibbs’ early years with the agency, has cast Austin Stowell in the role of the young Gibbs, while Harmon will lend his voice as the series’ narrator. Set in the 1990s, NCIS: Origins will delve deeper into key moments of Gibbs’ life, building on the backstory hinted at in the flagship series and shedding light on experiences never before seen on screen.
NCIS: Origins is expected to feature some heartbreaking twists as it lays the groundwork for the rest of Gibbs’ life. The series begins in 1991, a year marked by tragedy for Gibbs, as NCIS season 3 revealed the deaths of his wife, Shannon, and daughter, Kelly. The new prequel series will likely explore the aftermath of this devastating loss in greater detail. However, another casting announcement suggests that NCIS: Origins will also depict the loss of another important figure in Gibbs’ life around the same time.
Robert Taylor, best known for his roles in Longmire and The Matrix, has been cast as Jackson Gibbs, Jethro Gibbs’ father. Jackson, originally portrayed by the late Ralph Waite in the flagship series, was first introduced in season 6, episode 4, “Heartland,” one of the most memorable episodes of NCIS. In this episode, Gibbs reconnects with his estranged father when a case brings him back to his hometown of Stillwater, Pennsylvania, revealing significant details about Gibbs’ life before he joined NCIS.
With Robert Taylor taking on the role of Jackson Gibbs, it’s likely that NCIS: Origins will expand on a pivotal and painful moment from the original series. The inclusion of Jackson’s character strongly suggests that the prequel will tackle a significant and emotional storyline for Gibbs. CBS has dedicated a two-hour block to the premiere of NCIS: Origins, giving the show ample time to explore the young Gibbs’ journey to becoming an NCIS agent and the heartbreak that shaped him.
NCIS previously revealed that the last time Gibbs saw his father was at the funeral of his wife and daughter in 1991, following their murder by Pedro Hernandez. This marked a 17-year estrangement between father and son, as they didn’t reconnect until 2008 in the flagship series. Given this timeline, it’s likely that Jackson’s role in NCIS: Origins will be closely tied to this funeral, further exploring the strained relationship between Gibbs and his father.
The title of the NCIS: Origins pilot episode, “Enter Sandman,” hints at a connection to Gibbs’ military background, particularly his time in Operation Desert Storm. This suggests that the series will depict Gibbs’ transition from the Marine Corps to NCIS, likely including the emotional impact of Shannon and Kelly’s funeral during this period.
Showrunner David North has addressed the challenge of fitting Jackson’s role into the established NCIS canon, noting that while Robert Taylor’s character will be recurring rather than a regular presence, his appearances will be significant. Taylor is set to appear in the pilot episode, reinforcing the likelihood that his role will be crucial in exploring the events of 1991 that defined Gibbs’ life and ultimately led him to NCIS. While Jackson’s appearances in NCIS: Origins may be limited, they will undoubtedly play a key part in telling the story of Gibbs’ most defining moments.
