Everything to know about 'NCIS: Origins': Where to stream and which characters return (2024)

One of the foremost network procedurals, NCIS debuted on CBS in 2003 and has been rapidly expanding its franchise ever since. Mark Harmon starred in 19 seasons as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former USMC gunnery sergeant and skilled sniper who serves as a special agent in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). With the help of his crack team — including Pauley Perrette’s quirky forensic specialist, Abby Sciuto, and Sasha Alexander’s formidable Special Agent Caitlin Todd — Gibbs uses his masterful investigative skills to solve all manner of military-related crimes.

The flagship NCIS series has been nominated for three Primetime Emmys, although it’s never taken home a win. But who needs awards when you have five spinoff series and counting? In addition to the new prequel NCIS: Origins, the franchise has spawned NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023), NCIS: New Orleans (2014–2021), the recently axed NCIS: Hawaii (2021–2024), and NCIS: Sydney (2023–present).

Everything to know about 'NCIS: Origins': Where to stream and which characters return (1)

Ahead of its premiere, here’s everything you need to know about NCIS: Origins and the return of your favorite investigators.

What is the plot of NCIS: Origins?

NCIS: Origins takes place in 1991, roughly a decade before the events of NCIS, and follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) as he joins Camp Pendleton’s fledgling office. Harmon, who also serves as an executive producer, narrates Gibbs’ evolution from a relatively inexperienced rookie to the NCIS’ eventual supervisory special agent and special agent in charge.

Aiding Gibbs in his evolution is NCIS legend Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), who teaches him a thing or two about military investigations.

Cracking the case: NCIS: Origins star Austin Stowell on becoming young Gibbs in the 'darker' prequel series

Where can I watch/stream NCIS: Origins?

NCIS: Origins’ two-part pilot premieres on Monday, Oct. 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, directly after the kickoff of NCIS season 22, which starts at 8 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes of NCIS and NCIS: Origins will also be available to stream live for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or the following day for Paramount+ Essential subscribers.

Everything to know about 'NCIS: Origins': Where to stream and which characters return (2)

Which NCIS characters appear in NCIS: Origins?

You can expect to see younger versions of several major NCIS characters on Origins, and possibly more as the show progresses. Just don’t expect Pauley Perrette to turn up anytime soon…

Meet the new Gibbs: Mark Harmon's NCIS: Origins prequel series casts lead role

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Austin Stowell, Origins; Mark Harmon, NCIS

Austin Stowell is taking on a young version of the protagonist originated by Mark Harmon, who will narrate the prequel series.

Stowell is a rising star who has appeared in Whiplash (2014) and Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies (2014), in addition to playing late broadcaster Larry King in the tennis biopic Battle of the Sexes (2017). His recent works include the indie thriller Swallow (2019) and the rom-com The Hating Game (2021). He previously appeared in a one-off episode of NCIS: Los Angeles in 2010.

Everything to know about 'NCIS: Origins': Where to stream and which characters return (3)

Special Agent Mike Franks: Kyle Schmid, Origins; Muse Watson, NCIS

Kyle Schmid, who is best known for roles in the TV series Being Human (2012–2014) and Big Sky (2021), will play a younger, presumably just as assured version of Muse Watson’s legacy character.

Outside of NCIS, which has given the actor an enviable showcase, Watson is best known for Prison Break (2005–2008) and playing hook-handed killer Ben Willis in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998).

Special Agent Vera Strickland: Diany Rodriguez, Origins; Roma Maffia, NCIS

No-nonsense Special Agent Vera Strickland is the least familiar character to be ported over from NCIS to Origins, having been played by Roma Maffia in just one episode — “Under the Radar” in season 11. Two weeks from retirement, we saw Strickland assist Gibbs and the NCIS crew in investigating a bombing at the home of a Navy lieutenant.

Diany Rodriguez plays the character as a younger cadet, with Origins exploring how her close bond with Gibbs started and why their paths diverged in later years. The actor has worked on Ray Donovan (2019), Peacock’s Twisted Metal (2023), and in 25 episodes of The Blacklist as Red’s bodyguard, Weecha Xiu (2021–2023). She also appeared in an episode of NCIS: New Orleans in 2017.

Jackson Gibbs: Robert Taylor, Origins; Ralph Waite, NCIS

Veteran character actor Waite played Gibbs’ father on eight episodes of NCIS between 2008 and 2013 before he passed away in 2014 at age 85. Waite is perhaps best known for his role as John Walton Sr. on The Waltons (1972–1981) and for turns in movies like The Bodyguard (1992) and Cliffhanger (1993).

Robert Taylor, who will now carry the role of Jackson Gibbs, has appeared in The Matrix (1999) and The Meg (2018) but is best known as Sheriff Walt Longmire on 63 episodes of Longmire.

Everything to know about 'NCIS: Origins': Where to stream and which characters return (2024)

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