NCIS: Origins is about to introduce a younger version of an NCIS icon!
So far, NCIS: Origins has avoided the trap of introducing too many famous future NCIS characters. The series does a good job showing how Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Auston Stowell) began working for the NIS, the precursor to NCIS, and has been strategic in weaving in younger versions of the show’s legacy characters.
The March 17 episode will introduce yet another one of these characters with the episode introducing fellow NIS “probie,” Dwayne Pride. As NCIS fans know, Pride and Gibbs were part of a group known as “The Fed Five,” which also included Mike Franks (played in Origins by Kyle Schmid), Dan McLane, and Felix Betts.
Pride would go on to become the lead in NCIS: New Orleans, played by Scott Bakula. Now, the younger Pride is being introduced, played by Shea Buckner. So what makes him a good choice for Pride?
Where have you seen Shea Buckner before?
Fittingly for a guy attached to an NCIS show, Shea Buckner got his start in water. He won two NCAA National Championships in water polo for the University of Southern California and even competed for the United States team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He then moved into acting.
Buckner has appeared in various small roles in numerous TV shows like FBI, The Equalizer, The Rookie, and more. He did appear in the NCIS season 16 episode “Friendly Fire,” playing a smaller guest character. Buckner’s most high-profile role prior to this was playing Tony Caccimelio in season five of Only Murders in the Building.
He now has the opportunity to add an iconic character to his resume in taking on the role of young Pride in NCIS: Origins.
Speaking to Parade magazine, Stowell discussed how Pride and Gibbs met while both were undercover in Panama and something happened on the mission to set them at odds with each other. Stowell confessed he’d never seen NCIS: NOLA but was interested in the dynamic between Pride and Gibbs.
“[Shea] was certainly very charming on set. Everybody loved those boys [also referring to McClane, who is being played by Mark Deklin]. So, I think he nailed that. He’s such an antithesis of Gibbs. You have to pry words out of Leroy and Pride is more than willing to hear himself talk. I think he did a wonderful job.”
With Pride’s introduction, fans will get to a glimpse into the pair’s past which gave the NCIS: Origins team the chance to craft a fun dynamic between the two iconic characters.
Speaking to TV Insider, executive producer Gina Lucita Monreal teased how it’ll be fun for fans to know the future close connection between Gibbs and Pride to see them at odds with each other. The dynamic is that Gibbs is still holding a grudge against Pride while Pride appears to barely even remember the incident.
“We enjoyed seeing them play off of each other in a different way that we hadn’t seen before. We’ve seen them as the good friends, the respect and loyalty between them. So getting to see this other side of it was just really fun to build.”
It’s up in the air if Buckner will make future appearances as Pride, as it’s logical he’ll follow his own path within NCIS. Still, it’ll be fun to see these two match up and Buckner putting his own stamp on the role without imitating Bakula to let NCIS fans enjoy a future famous face getting his own start in adventures.