If you’re like me, NCIS isn’t just a show—it’s a weekly ritual. And just when we thought we’d seen it all, CBS dropped a game-changer: NCIS: Origins, the long-awaited prequel series diving deep into the early years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or totally new to the franchise, this guide will walk you through everything: how to watch, who’s in it, what the plot is, and why it absolutely matters.
📺 How to Watch NCIS: Origins
🗓️ When Did NCIS: Origins Premiere?
The series officially premiered on October 14, 2024, on CBS. It airs weekly every Monday at 9 PM EST.
💻 Streaming Options
You can catch every episode on Paramount+ the day after it airs. If you have a Paramount+ subscription, you’re golden.
Other ways to stream:
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Hulu Live TV
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YouTube TV
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FuboTV (with CBS add-on)
🧑💻 NCIS: Origins Full Cast List
🔷 The Main Players
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Austin Stowell as Young Leroy Jethro Gibbs
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Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks (Gibbs’ mentor)
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Mark Harmon as Narrator / Older Gibbs
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Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez
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Tyla Abercrumbie as Field Director Josephine “Jo” Rae
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Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland
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Robert Taylor as NCIS Director Riley
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Michael D. Cohen as Dr. Walter LaGrange (Forensics)
🔶 Guest Stars & Cameos
Expect Mark Harmon to appear visually in the premiere and provide voiceover narration throughout the season. Rumors swirl about future NCIS cameos.
🎯 Plot Summary – What Is NCIS: Origins About?
📍 Setting: 1991, Camp Pendleton, California
The series kicks off with a 28-year-old Gibbs, just beginning his journey at NCIS after his service in the Marine Corps. The country is reeling from the Gulf War, and the agency is still evolving.
🎞️ Episode One Highlights
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Gibbs is raw, impulsive, and just learning the ropes.
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Mike Franks becomes his no-nonsense mentor.
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A major case involving a murdered Navy officer sets the tone for Gibbs’ morality, methods, and motivations.
🔬 Core Themes
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Becoming Gibbs – from hot-headed rookie to calm and calculating leader.
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Mentorship – Franks and Gibbs have an intense, layered dynamic.
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Building the MCRT DNA – the values that will later define NCIS.
🕵️♂️ Meet Young Gibbs: Austin Stowell
🎤 Why He Was Cast
Mark Harmon himself said he “felt the room jump” during Austin’s audition. That’s no small praise. Stowell brings a mix of rugged edge and vulnerability—perfect for young Gibbs.
🧠 Gibbs’ Origin Story
He’s grieving, angry, and haunted by loss. The show peels back his layers like an onion—and trust me, the pain runs deep.
🔥 Episode Guide: NCIS: Origins Season 1
(Spoiler-lite overview for curious fans)
🧾 Episode 1: “First Blood”
Gibbs joins NCIS. His first mission tests his ethics.
🧾 Episode 2: “Chain of Command”
Conflicts with military hierarchy challenge Gibbs’ instincts.
🧾 Episode 3: “Ghosts of Beirut”
A Middle Eastern arms smuggling case connects to Gibbs’ past.
🧾 Episode 4: “Trigger Discipline”
We see Gibbs’ first “head slap” moment—before it was iconic.
🧾 Episode 5: “Code of Silence”
A mole inside the agency pushes Gibbs to break the rules.
🧾 Episode 6: “The Franks Rulebook”
Mentorship, loyalty, and old-school justice are tested.
(…episodes 7–10 to be announced soon, including rumored cameo from a young Ducky.)
🎙️ Mark Harmon’s Return: More Than a Cameo
🧓 Gibbs Speaks from the Future
In each episode, Harmon’s narration provides reflective commentary—sometimes warm, sometimes grim. Think How I Met Your Mother, but make it NCIS.
🎬 Executive Producer Role
Mark Harmon helped guide the tone, casting, and writing. His fingerprints are all over this.
🏅 What Makes NCIS: Origins Different From Other Spinoffs?
⚔️ It’s Darker and Grittier
Forget quirky techies and cute side plots—Origins hits harder. It’s about loss, loyalty, and learning the rules the hard way.
📚 Character-Driven Over Case-Driven
Yes, there are weekly cases. But this is a character study at its core.
💬 Fan Reactions So Far
🗣️ What Reddit and Twitter Are Saying
“This is what NCIS needed—raw, real, and emotional.”
“Austin Stowell NAILED young Gibbs. Mark Harmon would be proud.”
“NCIS: Origins feels like prestige TV with a badge.”
📊 Ratings and Reception
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The premiere pulled in 9.3 million viewers—biggest NCIS launch since NCIS: New Orleans.
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Critics praised the tone, casting, and callbacks to NCIS lore.
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Early Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 89%
💡 Why You Should Be Watching
If you love:
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Origin stories
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Military intrigue
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Mark Harmon
…or just a damn good procedural, NCIS: Origins deserves your watchlist.
🔮 Will There Be a Season 2?
🟢 Confirmed!
CBS has officially renewed NCIS: Origins for Season 2, premiering October 14, 2025.
🧠 Gibbs’ Rules in the Making
Watch closely—many of the original Gibbs rules start taking shape:
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Rule #9: Never go anywhere without a knife? Let’s just say… it’s earned.
🎁 Easter Eggs for Hardcore Fans
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Young Abby’s photo on a desk
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A whispered reference to NIS before it became NCIS
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The original red cap (Gibbs’ father’s)
🛑 Final Thoughts: Is NCIS: Origins Worth It?
Absolutely. NCIS: Origins is more than a prequel—it’s a powerful tribute to the legacy of Gibbs and everything the NCIS universe stands for. With strong storytelling, deep characters, and pitch-perfect casting, this is the NCIS we’ve been waiting for.
❓ 5 Unique FAQs
1. Do I need to watch NCIS to understand Origins?
Nope! Origins is a fresh starting point, though longtime fans will catch hidden nods.
2. Is Mark Harmon back full-time?
Not on-screen full-time, but he narrates every episode and oversees production.
3. How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 will feature 10 episodes, with the finale expected in December 2024.
4. Is this set before or after NCIS: Sydney or Tony & Ziva?
Way before! Origins takes place in 1991, decades before those events.
5. Will we see young versions of other NCIS characters?
Producers hinted at it, but nothing confirmed—yet.
Custom Message:
Crafted with care for fans who live and breathe NCIS. Whether you’re Team Gibbs, Team McGee, or just miss the head slaps—this one’s for you. Stay sharp. Stay loyal. Stay curious.
