Despite NCIS season 22 releasing a new episode, NCIS: Origins continues to be on a break, and there’s a good reason why. Born out of Mark and Sean Harmon’s love of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the NCIS franchise launched its very first prequel that tackles the first years of the beloved character in NIS. As a member of Mike Franks’ team, Austin Stowell’s young version of Gibbs has grown in the last few months. Beyond him, however, NCIS: Origins is also telling compelling stories about the people around him at Camp Pendleton, creating a more dynamic series.
Admittedly, there was skepticism about NCIS: Origins’ chances of success. As beloved as he is, much of Gibbs’ story has already been told in the flagship show. The first half of its freshman year focused on rehashing events that people already knew. Things turned around in 2025, however, when NCIS: Origins started focusing on scene-stealer Franks and other people at the NIS office. Somehow, they’re more compelling because not only are they fresh material, but the writers are also not beholden to the canon. So naturally, it’s disappointing when the prequel continues its hiatus in the middle of the season.
NCIS: Origins Took A Programming Break To Catch Up On Episodes
NCIS Season 22 Returned With Episode 13
With NCIS season 22, episode 13 airing in its usual Monday timeslot, there was an expectation that a new outing of NCIS: Origins would follow suit. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Instead, the prequel’s timeslot was devoted to a re-run of Watson — CBS’ new medical drama that puts a twist on the famed Sherlock Holmes lore. Officially, there isn’t any reason provided regarding NCIS: Origins’ extended hiatus, but it’s likely that the interruption in programming has something to do with the number of episodes it has been confirmed for its freshman year.
…CBS would want the NCIS projects to continue airing back-to-back to solidify its Monday prime-time block.
As a new show, CBS ordered 18 episodes of NCIS: Origins. Compare that to NCIS season 22’s confirmed 22 episodes (its usual output), and it’s safe to say that the spinoff’s break is the network’s attempt at lining up the shows’ schedule as they enter the final stretch of the 2024-2025 TV cycle. Despite the difference in episode numbers, CBS would want the NCIS projects to continue airing back-to-back to solidify its Monday prime-time block. This is particularly important during the sweeps period (mid-April to mid-May) all the way to their respective finales.
When NCIS: Origins Episode 14 Will Air
CBS Has Yet To Confirm When A New Episode Of NCIS: Origins Will Air
Unfortunately, CBS has yet to give NCIS: Origins episode 14 an official release date. That means that there’s still no promotional asset or even an outing synopsis for the said outing.
Because of the way the prequel’s story has pivoted in 2025, being more serialized and focusing on other characters, it’s also difficult to predict what comes next for Mike Franks’ Camp Pendleton team. While this may be frustrating for those who tune in every week, it’s a good opportunity for those who are behind to catch up in time for its eventual return to its regular schedule.
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