Gibbs’ first team is fully revealed in new NCIS: Origins images. The upcoming prequel show will explore Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (now played by Austin Stowell) early days with NCIS (currently only known as “NIS”) in the aftermath of losing his family. Original actor Mark Harmon will return to narrate, marking his return to the franchise after leaving the main series in 2021. NCIS: Origins will premiere on CBS in October alongside the new season of the original NCIS, which is entering season 22.
CBS has released new images (via TV Insider) from NCIS: Origins’ premiere showcasing Gibbs and his new team members. The photos largely show the team at a charred crime scene, perhaps investigating their first case together. Other shots reveal Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) facing off with Cliff Walker (Patrick Fischler), the head of NIS’ Pendleton branch where Gibbs and his team are based. Check out the images below:
What The New NCIS: Origins Images Mean
Gibbs Is Getting Right To Work, And Team Dynamics Are Forming
Though Origins has largely been presented as Gibbs’ story, it seems all but certain that the series will follow the ensemble format that the other NCIS shows have adopted over the years. In the above images, Gibbs only factors into a handful, with newer agents like Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino) and Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez, taking over from original actor Roma Maffia in the flagship series) getting spotlights of their own. In one image, Lala and Vera appear to be in the middle of a serious talk, perhaps hinting at a deep relationship between the two.
The images also show that, in addition to acting as Gibbs’ introduction to NIS, the NCIS: Origins premiere will throw him immediately into a case. Several photos feature the team at the same crime scene, which looks heavily burnt and should supply an interesting mystery. Getting into a case right away makes sense for an NCIS show, and it will give the audience a chance to see the new team in action right away.
Our Take On The New NCIS: Origins Images
NCIS: Origins Should Be A Mix Of The Familiar And The New
I’ve been an avid viewer of NCIS since I was in middle school, and though I haven’t branched out as much into the spinoffs, I am very familiar with their formats. These early Origins images suggest the usual procedural format will be in place, an important detail for a show that is already far different from past installments in the franchise. In the past, all NCIS spinoffs have simply revolved around a different team in a new city. Origins will break this trend by focusing on a pre-established character.
At the same time, the new characters and narration from Harmon will make this a unique NCIS show, something that is quite exciting for a franchise that has been running for several decades.
Beyond Gibbs, Mike Franks and Vera Strickland were already featured on the original show, so their roles here will lend some familiarity to this new team. We’re coming into NCIS: Origins already aware of how certain characters act and where they end up, giving the show an interesting dynamic with its audience. At the same time, the new characters and narration from Harmon will make this a unique NCIS show, something that is quite exciting for a franchise that has been running for several decades.
NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, October 14 on CBS.