NCIS slowly revealed pieces of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ backstory throughout his 18 seasons on the show, and it was dark. The character, played by Mark Harmon, had suffered enough trauma for a lifetime, with his wife, Shannon, and their daughter killed in a car accident that turned out to be the work of a drug dealer Shannon had testified against. New bits of Gibbs’ story came out over the years, but it was clear a lot remained unknown about the star of CBS’s longtime No. 1 drama. Now, fans are getting the answers they have craved with the new series NCIS: Origins, which bows on CBS this fall. It is the fifth spinoff of NCIS and should be one of this season’s most-watched new programs.
When Does NCIS: Origins Season 1 On CBS Debut?
The two-hour series premiere of NCIS: Origins airs Monday, October 14, at 9 p.m., right after the season 22 debut of NCIS. After week one, NCIS: Origins will shift to 10 p.m. on Mondays on CBS.
How Many Episodes Will Be In NCIS: Origins Season 1 on CBS?
CBS generally gives new shows a 13-episode order and picks up nine or 11 additional episodes depending on how well it does in the ratings. Since NCIS has been one of its top-performing dramas for years, and its spinoffs have all drawn respectable numbers, the show will most likely get that pickup.
Who Is The NCIS: Origins Season 1 Cast?
Probably most important to NCIS fans wondering if Mark Harmon, who played Gibbs on the original, will be on the series—yes, Harmon will be there. He will narrate the series that focuses on his character’s past.
Austin Stowell, who’s appeared in The Hating Game, Catch-22 and Bridge of Spies, plays young Gibbs. Robert Taylor plays Jackson Gibbs, young Gibbs’ father, who also appeared in the original show (though played by a different actor). Kyle Schmid plays Mike Franks, Mariel Molino plays Lala Dominguez, Diany Rodriguez plays Vera Strickland, and Tyla Abercrumbie plays Mary Jo Sullivan.
What Is NCIS: Origins Season 1 About?
NCIS: Origins is the first NCIS spinoff to depict a character from the original in a different timeline. Set in 1991, it shows Gibbs joining the Naval Investigative Service in Camp Pendleton after serving with the Marines. Franks becomes his mentor (he was often referenced in the original) and partner. Dominguez is another special agent and also formerly served in the Marines. Special Agent Strickland (who’s also shown in the original series) plays another partner of Franks’. (Note that NIS became Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, in late 1992.)
The crew solves weekly crimes, but they also keep an eye on Gibbs, whose tragic past makes him a gamble for joining the NCIS team.
Where To Watch NCIS: OriginsNCIS: Origins airs on Monday nights at 10 p.m. on CBS following the original NCIS. You can also stream episodes of NCIS: Origins on Paramount+.
