But just because the NCIS: Origins cast features mostly new faces, it doesn’t mean the prequel avoids bringing familiar names from the past. It was recently announced that Only Murders in the Building season 5 guest star Shea Buckner will play the younger version of Dwayne Pride, a role originated by Scott Bakula in the main NCIS series and the spinoff NCIS: New Orleans.
Deadline reports that Better Things actor Adam Kulbersh and Blue Bloods alum Mark Deklin are set to round out the Fed Five on the CBS procedural, playing NIS Special Agent Felix Betts and NIS Special Agent Dan McLane, respectively. Referred to in the official character description as a “paper-trail genius,” Betts is brought in as a likable and buttoned-up presence to help a new task force solve cases. He was played by the late Stuart Margolin in an episode of NCIS season 11 in 2014.
As for McLane, he’ll be in his late 40s when he appears in the prequel. He’s described as smart and confident, in addition to being notable for his “old school masculine energy”, as he works out of the NIS Panama office. He’s called in by the San Diego team to lead a joint task force that’s focused on stopping a stolen weapons ring.
The Fed Five storyline, which introduced the idea of Gibbs, Franks, Pride, Betts, and McLane, goes back to the arc during the two-parter in NCIS season 11. Titled ‘Crescent City’, the two-parter served as a backdoor pilot for NCIS: New Orleans, and introduced Dwayne Pride to the franchise. It also explored the investigation into the murder of McLane, a former NIS agent turned congressman and the Fed Five’s commanding officer.
For now, the idea is for the new, younger versions of the Fed Five to only appear in one episode. But there’s always a chance they could pop up and recur frequently, shortening the list of NCIS fan-favorites that need to appear in NCIS: Origins alongside Stowell, Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, Diany Rodriguez, and Caleb Foote.
