CBS is going back in time to expand the NCIS universe with its prequel NCIS: Origins, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The series is ordered for the network’s 2024-2025 season. The show will follow a younger version of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon in the original series. Harmon is set to be an executive producer for the sequel and will also serve as narrator.
The Harmons in NCIS: Origins
NCIS: Origins will be set in the 1990s and will follow the young Gibbs as a new NCIS agent at the Camp Pendleton office. Muse Watson will be reprising his recurring character role, the legendary Mike Franks, as Gibbs’ boss.
The NCIS flagship show was released in 2003. Mark Harmon was 51 then. CBS describe NCIS: Origins as being headline by the someone in his late 30s to early 40s.
CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach said, “We are elated and honored to continue the expansion of the NCIS universe in such a unique and unexpected way.”
She added, “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.”
Origins will have NCIS veterans David J. North and Gina Lucita as co-showrunners. The will also serve as executive producers with Harmon and his son, Sean, who played the younger Gibbs on NCIS.
CBS Studios president David Stapf said, “There’s no denying the cultural and global phenomenon of the NCIS franchise for the last 20 years.”
“When Sean and Mark approached us all with this exciting expansion of the universe — exploring a young Gibbs — we knew it was the next story that needed to be told. We also couldn’t be luckier to have Gina and David at the helm as co-showrunners who are not only brilliant and adept writers, but know this character and universe so well,” he continued.
Sean Harmon stated, “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,” he added.
NCIS 101
NCIS: Origins will be the franchise’s sixth installment. The original series has been on television for 20 years, now on its 20th season.
NCIS spun off from another CBS series, JAG. The characters and the show’s concept was introduced on JAG’s season eight, episodes 20 and 21 in September 2003.
NCIS’ first spinoff show set in Los Angeles was introduced during the original show’s sixth season. The Los Angeles show starred Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J. NCIS: Los Angeles ran for 14 seasons and is the second of the franchise’s shows to end.
The second spinoff New Orleans was introduced in the original series’ 11th season. New Orleans starred Scott Bakula and Lucas Black. The show ran for seven seasons and is the first of the NCIS franchise shows to end.
The franchise’s third spinoff, Hawai’i, premiered in Sepember. 2021. NCIS: Hawai’i stars Vanessa Lachey. The show started filming is third season in December 2023.
The series latest spinoff, Sydney, was released in November 2023 on Paramount+ Australia. It is the first time the franchise’s show is set outside the U.S. It features Australian actors and producers.