NCIS: Origins is poised to bring back a character from the flagship series 16 years after their devastating death. The latest NCIS spinoff will premiere in October, and when it does, NCIS: Origins’ story will break ground in more ways than one. For starters, NCIS: Origins is the franchise’s first prequel series. While there were many flashbacks in the original series, they were typically brief. Origins is the first series to position its narrative in the past, and this unique quality lends itself to more exciting opportunities for the prequel series to make NCIS history.
The origin story will explore the backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Mark Harmon portrayed Gibbs in 19 seasons of the original series but exited NCIS in 2021. Now, Austin Stowell will take over as Gibbs, portraying the young agent as he gets his start alongside his mentor, Mike Franks, at the fledgling NIS office. The fifth NCIS spinoff offers unique qualities that will change the police procedural institution moving forward. However, aside from the duo, NCIS: Origins will also feature some other familiar faces, and that could include one character who died in the flagship series more than 15 years ago.
NCIS: Origins Can Feature Jenny Shepard In Later Seasons
NCIS: Origins is uniquely positioned to bring back Jennifer Shepard. Lauren Holly portrayed the special agent turned NCIS director in seasons 3-5 before she was tragically murdered in the season 5 finale. Jenny Shepard and Leroy Jethro Gibbs had instant chemistry when Holly joined the cast in season 3, with the season revealing at its onset that they had a romantic past. Until Lauren Holly left NCIS, Gibbs and Jenny had a profoundly caring relationship in the present, built on intense feelings of the past. However, their potential to reconnect died with Jenny in NCIS season 5.
NCIS: Origins can bring Jennifer Shepard back despite her devastating death since it will explore the past. While it would be neat to see many NCIS characters in the story, some are just not logistically likely or possible. That said, Jenny and Gibbs have a history to examine. Based on the canon, their paths will inevitably cross at some point in Gibbs’ past. If NCIS: Origins runs for eight seasons, putting it in 1999, or if it moves through time in a fast-paced or non-linear way, Jennifer Shepard can have a significant role in NCIS: Origins.
Jenny And Gibbs’ NCIS History Explained
The original NCIS series explained that Jennifer Shepard joined NCIS in the late 1990s. During that time, she was working on a covert mission with Gibbs in Paris. There, the special agents became lovers while working alongside one another. Their romance continued throughout Europe but ultimately faced a bitter end when Jennifer cut ties with Gibbs, wanting to further her career and afraid her partner could not commit. While fans know how the relationship ends, it would be enthralling to see it begin. If NCIS: Origins is successful enough to continue, it can finally tell Gibbs and Jenny’s untold love story.
