NCIS: Origins
American television series (2024–present)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NCIS: Origins is an American police procedural television series, and the sixth installment in the NCIS franchise. It is a prequel to the original series and follows a younger Leroy Jethro Gibbs during his early career years as a Probationary NIS Agent while still processing the trauma of the murder of his wife and daughter.
Created by
- Gina Lucita Monreal
- David J. North
Narrated byMark Harmon
| NCIS: Origins | |
|---|---|
Promotional image featuring Austin Stowell | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
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| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Mark Harmon |
| Composers |
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| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 29 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers | Michele Greco Austin Stowell |
| Editors |
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| Running time | 42–44 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | October 14, 2024 – present |
| Related | |
The series premiered on October 14, 2024, on CBS. In February 2025, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 14, 2025. [1][2][3][4] In January 2026, it was renewed for a third season. [5]
Synopsis
NCIS: Origins follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 1990s, decade prior to the events of NCIS, and is narrated by the older Gibbs. In the series, Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.[6]
Cast
Main
- Austin Stowell as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a newcomer to the Pendleton branch of the Naval Investigative Service, the precursor to NCIS
- Mark Harmon reprises his role as the older Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a now-retired veteran NCIS agent who narrates the series
- Kyle Schmid as Special Agent Mike Franks, a seasoned agent and leader of the team. Franks was played by Muse Watson in the original series.
- Mariel Molino as Special Agent Cecilia "Lala" Dominguez, a former Marine determined to stand out in the male-dominated workplace
- Tyla Abercrumbie as Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Hayes, the self-described "Head Secretary in Charge"
- Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland, a tough, no-nonsense agent. Roma Maffia played the character in the original series.
- Caleb Foote as Special Agent Bernard "Randy" Randolf, the team's golden boy[7]
Recurring
- Tonantzin Carmelo as Tish Kwa'la, Mike Franks' girlfriend and "love of his life" until episode 15[8]
- Patrick Fischler as Special Agent in Charge Cliff Wheeler, head of NIS's Pendleton Office[9]
- Julian Black Antelope as Chief Medical Examiner Témet Téngalkat, an unfazed, experienced ME, with ties to NIS
- Michael Harney as Richard Kowalski, Evidence Custodian, who used to be Army chaplain
- Daniel Bellomy as Herman "Herm" Daniels, an NIS agent acting as the Evidence Custodian's assistant[7]
- Bobby Moynihan as Woodrow "Woody" Browne, a forensic analyst
- Ely Henry as Philip Elertson, a chemist who works with Woody
- Matthew Henerson as Carl Loughlin, an NIS agent
- Eric Normington as Roger Murphy, a former NIS agent who had a gambling problem
- Aaron Wilton as Special Agent JJ Henneberry, an NIS agent
- Marisa Baram as Gail Price, an NIS secretary
- Robert Taylor as Jackson Gibbs, Jethro's father. The character was played by Ralph Waite in the original series before his death in 2014.[7]
- Jared Bankens as Jamison "Bugs" Boyd, a criminal profiled by Vera
- Lori Petty as Dr. Lenora Friedman, an assistant medical examiner
- Adam Huber as Luke Fletcher, counselor at the VA, real Sandman
- Jeffrey Boehm as Dalton, an NIS agent
- Michael Shepperd as Smitty, bartender at Daly's tavern
- Eddie Alfano as Todd, a bouncer at Daly's Tavern.
- Kathleen Kenny as Diane Sterling, a Real Estate Agent and Gibbs' future second wife. Melinda McGraw played the character in original series.
- Christopher Backus as Abe Pruitt, leader of the Range.
- Daphne Bloomer as Beth, member of the Range.
- Julien Crane as Stanley Turner, member of the Range.
- Kayla Maisonet as Nadia, a NIS secretary
- Miguel Gomez as Manny, a gang member who starts a relationship with Lala
Guest
- DaJuan Johnson as FBI Agent Noah Oakley who works cases with the team and has a romantic past with Cliff Wheeler
- Lucas Dixon as FBI Special Agent Tobias C. Fornell. Joe Spano played the character in the original series.
- Claire Berger as Lara Macy. Lala's friend; military police investigator. Louise Lombard played the character in the original series' future Special Agent in Charge at the Office of Special Projects in Los Angeles.
- Adam Campbell as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, a liaison from D.C. headquarters and an old acquaintance of Gibbs. David McCallum played the character in the original series before his death in 2023. Campbell reprises the role after portraying the young Ducky in four episodes of the original series.[10]
- Philip Winchester as Mason Franks, Mike Franks' brother[11]
- Kelly Albanese as Julie Larsen, Lala’s Sister
- Thomas Crawford as Dr. Walter Magnus, Medical Examiner with NIS Headquarters at the Navy Yard in D.C. and NIS Chief Medical Examiner before Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. Bob Newhart played the character in an episode of the original series.
- Shea Buckner as Dwayne Pride
Episodes
Season 1 (2024–25)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | U.S. viewers (millions) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Enter Sandman" | Niels Arden Oplev | Gina Lucita Monreal & David J. North | October 14, 2024 | 5.03[13] | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||
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In October 1991, a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NIS Camp Pendleton Office, where he forges his place on a gritty ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks. His first case involves the investigation of a sniper called Sandman. | |||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Bend, Don't Break" | John Terlesky | Jon Worley | October 21, 2024 | 4.06[14] | |||||||
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A murder near Camp Pendleton leads Gibbs and the team to a suburban mall in San Diego, where Gibbs takes matters into his own hands. Jackson Gibbs pays Franks an unexpected visit. | |||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | "All's Not Lost" | Hanelle M. Culpepper | Michael J. Ballin & Thomas Aguilar | October 28, 2024 | 3.77[15] | |||||||
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Still grieving the loss of his wife and daughter, Gibbs helps the team work a case involving a missing girl. The moment that irrevocably changed Gibbs' life is revealed. | |||||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Last Rites" | Lionel Coleman | Margarita Matthews | November 4, 2024 | 3.52[16] | |||||||
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With the countdown on to an execution, Franks races to extricate the location of a missing body from a death row inmate and honor a promise he made to the victim's sister before time runs out. | |||||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Incognito" | Pete Chatmon | Shalisha Francis-Feusner | November 11, 2024 | 3.90[17] | |||||||
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Gibbs goes undercover for the first time with Lala as NIS works the case of a dead Navy seaman who may have been sharing top-secret intel that poses a threat to national security. Also, Lala struggles with her place on the team and an unexpected development in her personal life. | |||||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | "One Flew Over" | Jessica Lowrey | Rafael Samano & Margarita Matthews & Gina Lucita Monreal | November 25, 2024 | 3.50[18] | |||||||
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NIS investigates the murder of a dementia-afflicted Jane Doe. Also, flashbacks reveal the first time Gibbs met Franks. | |||||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Sick as Our Secrets" | Ed Ornelas | Stephen Day & Daniel J. Egbert | December 2, 2024 | 3.79[19] | |||||||
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Gibbs and the team investigate the case of a Navy priest who was killed in the confessional booth and may have been targeted by mistake. Meanwhile, Randy shows Gibbs the ropes of working a protective detail while struggling with a personal situation. | |||||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Vivo o Muerto" | Loren Yaconelli | Gina Lucita Monreal & Michael J. Ballin & Thomas Aguilar & Rafael Samano | December 9, 2024 | 3.40[20] | |||||||
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The case of a missing woman who disappeared after a night of clubbing with a Navy seaman takes the team to Mexico, where they learn of a possible connection to Gibbs' past. | |||||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Blue Bayou" | John Terlesky | David J. North & Gina Lucita Monreal & Brendan Fehily | December 16, 2024 | 3.48[21] | |||||||
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As Leroy Jethro Gibbs prepares for his first Christmas without his wife and daughter, flashbacks reveal the unlikely journey that led to his first day on the job as a special agent at NIS' Camp Pendleton office working with Mike Franks and Lala. | |||||||||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Flight of Icarus" | Ruben Garcia | Jennifer Corbett & Gina Lucita Monreal | January 27, 2025 | 4.10[22] | |||||||
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The team investigates the death of a famed Marine commander's son, while a pivotal part of Franks' past involving his family is revealed. | |||||||||||||
| 12 | 12 | "Touchstones" | Anya Adams | Gina Lucita Monreal & David J. North & Brendan Fehily | February 3, 2025 | 3.91[23] | |||||||
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When the evidence room is broken into and significant cash goes missing, the team looks into a connection to a recent case. Also, Lala opens up to Gibbs, and Kowalski struggles to move forward | |||||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Monsoon" | Hanelle M. Culpepper | Gina Lucita Monreal | February 10, 2025 | 3.70[24] | |||||||
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The team investigates the brutal murder of a veteran who fell on hard times after serving in Vietnam, leading Franks to reflect on his own struggles following the war while Gibbs considers a new path forward. | |||||||||||||
| 14 | 14 | "To Have and to Hold" | Diana Valentine | Shalisha Francis-Feusner | March 24, 2025 | 3.77[25] | |||||||
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The team works the case of an investment advisor found dead shortly after her release from prison while Mary Jo is left reeling by an unexpected development in her personal life. | |||||||||||||
| 15 | 15 | "From the Ashes" | Hanelle M. Culpepper | Margarita Matthews | March 31, 2025 | 3.54[26] | |||||||
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The team investigates the brutal murder of a military sergeant found burned in her car, a case Franks suspects could have a connection to the assault of his estranged girlfriend, Tish. | |||||||||||||
| 16 | 16 | "Bugs" | Jessica Lowrey | Jennifer Corbett & Michael J. Ballin & Thomas Aguilar | April 14, 2025 | 3.57[27] | |||||||
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The events of this episode takes place on February 7, 1992. Vera receives an unexpected call from Bugs, who claims he's ready to answer more questions from prison after being identified as the sniper known as "Sandman". When she arrives, Bugs has suddenly changed his mind, prompting the team to reconsider the case and race against the clock to try and stop another tragedy. | |||||||||||||
| 17 | 17 | "Darlin', Don't Refrain" | Pamela Romanowsky | Story by : Gina Lucita Monreal & David J. North & Brendan Fehily Teleplay by : David J. North & Brendan Fehily | April 21, 2025 | 3.89[28] | |||||||
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After the shocking developments in the Sandman case, the team works with the FBI to investigate further. While Wheeler struggles to hold onto his job, his family reaches a crisis point. | |||||||||||||
| 18 | 18 | "Cecilia" | Niels Arden Oplev | Gina Lucita Monreal | April 28, 2025 | 3.87[29] | |||||||
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When the murder of Pedro Hernandez is unearthed, Gibbs faces a reckoning but when he needs his team most, the loyalty of one is brought into question. | |||||||||||||
Season 2 (2025–26)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [30] | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [30] | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1 | "The Funky Bunch" | Niels Arden Oplev | Gina Lucita Monreal | October 14, 2025 | 3.66[31] | |
| 20 | 2 | "Who by Fire" | Jessica Lowrey | Matthew T. Brown | October 21, 2025 | 3.83[32] | |
| 21 | 3 | "The Edge" | Patrick Cady | Story by : Margarita Matthews & Gina Lucita Monreal Teleplay by : Margarita Matthews | October 28, 2025 | 3.79[33] | |
| 22 | 4 | "No Man Left Behind" | James Whitmore Jr. | Story by : Gina Lucita Monreal & Gia Gordon Teleplay by : Gia Gordon | November 4, 2025 | 3.85[34] | |
| 23 | 5 | "Funny How Time Slips Away" | Niels Arden Oplev | Story by : Gina Lucita Monreal & David J. North Teleplay by : David J. North & Brendan Fehily | November 11, 2025 | 5.58[35] | |
|
This episode begins a crossover event that concludes on NCIS season 23 episode 5. | |||||||
| 24 | 6 | "Happy Birthday" | Lionel Coleman | Story by : Gina Lucita Monreal & Ryan Lee & Rafael Samano Teleplay by : Ryan Lee & Rafael Samano | November 18, 2025 | 3.96[36] | |
| 25 | 7 | "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" | Jann Turner | Story by : Corinne Marrinan & Jonny Gomez Teleplay by : Corinne Marrinan & Jonny Gomez & Gina Lucita Monreal | December 2, 2025 | 4.45[37] | |
| 26 | 8 | "End of the Road" | Loren Yaconelli | Gina Lucita Monreal | December 9, 2025 | 4.06[38] | |
| 27 | 9 | "Fools Rush In" | Diana Valentine | Margarita Matthews | March 3, 2026 | 3.32[39] | |
| 28 | 10 | "Lean on Me" | Patrick Cady | Gina Lucita Monreal | March 10, 2026 | 3.24[40] | |
| 29 | 11 | "Feelin' Alright?" | Hanelle M. Culpepper | Ron McGee | March 17, 2026 | TBD | |
| 30 | 12 | "The Gambler"[41] | Lionel Coleman | Story by : André Jacquemetton & Maria Jacquemetton Teleplay by : André Jacquemetton & Maria Jacquemetton and Gina Lucita Monreal | March 24, 2026 | TBD | |
| 31 | 13 | "Homeward Bound" | TBA | TBA | March 31, 2026 | TBD | |
| 32 | 14 | "The Beautiful Ballad of Gary Callahan" | TBA | TBA | April 7, 2026 | TBD | |
Production
NCIS: Origins was announced in January 2024, with franchise mainstays Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North acting as showrunners. The series is executive produced by Mark Harmon and his son Sean Harmon, who had played a younger Gibbs in flashback sequences on the original show.[42]
Austin Stowell was cast as Gibbs in March.[6] Before Stowell was cast, Stephen Amell auditioned for the role.[43] Mariel Molino, Kyle Schmid, Tyla Abercrombie and Diany Rodriguez completed the main cast in March.[44][45][46]
Lori Petty and Bobby Moynihan joined the cast in July.[47]
On November 7, 2024, CBS granted the series a full season order with an additional 5 episodes bringing the total episode count to 18 episodes.[48]
The show is filmed on a 1990s era recreated set of Camp Pendleton, built at Fort MacArthur, a former Army installation in San Pedro.[49]
Release
Reception
Pre-release
The announcement of NCIS: Origins resulted in the cancellation of NCIS: Hawaiʻi, leading to several angered fans boycotting Origins.[53]
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 88% based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 5.60/10.[54]
Ratings
Season 1
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Enter Sandman, Part 1" | October 14, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 5.03 | 0.2 | 2.24 | 0.5 | 7.27 | [13] |
| 2 | "Enter Sandman, Part 2" | October 14, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 5.03 | 0.2 | 2.24 | 0.5 | 7.27 | [13] |
| 3 | "Bend, Don't Break" | October 21, 2024 | 0.4/4 | 4.06 | 0.1 | 2.24 | 0.5 | 6.30 | [14] |
| 4 | "All's Not Lost" | October 28, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.77 | 0.1 | 2.20 | 0.4 | 5.97 | [15] |
| 5 | "Last Rites" | November 4, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.52 | 0.1 | 2.33 | 0.5 | 5.84 | [16] |
| 6 | "Incognito" | November 11, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.90 | 0.2 | 2.33 | 0.4 | 6.23 | [17] |
| 7 | "One Flew Over" | November 25, 2024 | 0.2/3 | 3.50 | 0.1 | 2.20 | 0.3 | 5.70 | [18] |
| 8 | "Sick as Our Secrets" | December 2, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.79 | 0.2 | 2.40 | 0.4 | 6.19 | [19] |
| 9 | "Vivo o Muerto" | December 9, 2024 | 0.2/2 | 3.40 | 0.2 | 2.28 | 0.4 | 5.68 | [20] |
| 10 | "Blue Bayou" | December 16, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.48 | 0.2 | 2.17 | 0.4 | 5.65 | [21] |
| 11 | "Flight of Icarus" | January 27, 2025 | 0.3/5 | 4.10 | 0.2 | 2.27 | 0.5 | 6.38 | [22] |
| 12 | "Touchstones" | February 3, 2025 | 0.3/5 | 3.91 | 0.1 | 2.28 | 0.4 | 6.19 | [23] |
| 13 | "Monsoon" | February 10, 2025 | 0.3/5 | 3.70 | 0.1 | 2.13 | 0.4 | 5.83 | [24] |
| 14 | "To Have and To Hold" | March 24, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.77 | 0.1 | 2.22 | 0.4 | 5.99 | [25] |
| 15 | "From the Ashes" | March 31, 2025 | 0.2/3 | 3.54 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [26] |
| 16 | "Bugs" | April 14, 2025 | 0.2/4 | 3.57 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [27] |
| 17 | "Darlin', Don't Refrain" | April 21, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.89 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [28] |
| 18 | "Cecilia" | April 28, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.87 | 0.1 | 2.03 | 0.4 | 5.90 | [29] |
Season 2
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Funky Bunch" | October 14, 2025 | 0.2/3 | 3.66 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [31] |
| 2 | "Who by Fire" | October 21, 2025 | 0.2/3 | 3.83 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [32] |
| 3 | "The Edge" | October 28, 2025 | 0.2/2 | 3.79 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [33] |
| 4 | "No Man Left Behind" | November 4, 2025 | 0.3/3 | 3.85 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [34] |
| 5 | "Funny How Time Slips Away" | November 11, 2025 | 0.4/5 | 5.58 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [35] |
| 6 | "Happy Birthday" | November 18, 2025 | 0.2/3 | 3.96 | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | [36] |
