In an exclusive announcement, CBS has officially greenlit a new drama titled “NCIS: Origins,” serving as a prequel to the long-standing hit series. The network has given a direct-to-series order for the 2024-2025 broadcast season. This new venture focuses on the early years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the iconic character from NCIS. Mark Harmon, who played Gibbs for over 18 seasons, and his son Sean Harmon, who previously portrayed the younger Gibbs in select NCIS episodes, are at the helm of this project alongside veteran NCIS writers-producers Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North. CBS Studios, responsible for the NCIS franchise, is also involved in the series’ production.
Narrated by Mark Harmon, “NCIS: Origins” delves into Gibbs’ beginnings in 1991, predating the events of the original NCIS series. It follows Gibbs’ journey as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton, navigating a rough-and-tumble team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.
The concept for exploring Gibbs’ early years originated from Sean Harmon, who had previously portrayed a younger Gibbs on NCIS. Collaborating with his father and the experienced NCIS creative team, the Harmons approached Monreal, North, and CBS Studios to expand the NCIS universe with this dedicated offshoot.
Sean Harmon will focus on executive producing alongside Mark Harmon, who remains an executive producer for the flagship NCIS series. Monreal and North will co-write the premiere episode and serve as co-showrunners for “NCIS: Origins.” North will continue his executive producer and co-showrunner duties on the original series as well. The search for an actor to play the lead role in the spinoff is underway.
Sean Harmon expressed his enthusiasm for producing the series, having been involved with the character of Gibbs both through observing his father’s portrayal and portraying a young Gibbs himself. Monreal and North teased that “NCIS: Origins” will reveal previously untold aspects of Gibbs’ character, emphasizing that even dedicated NCIS fans will uncover new facets of this beloved figure.
CBS Entertainment President, Amy Reisenbach, expressed excitement about Mark Harmon’s return as the narrator, promising a deep exploration of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ enigmatic backstory and the reintroduction of fan-favorite characters while introducing new ones.
“NCIS: Origins” represents CBS’ fourth new scripted series for the 2024-2025 season, joining other dramas like “Matlock” and “Watson” and the comedy “Poppa’s House.”
The NCIS franchise has been a cornerstone for CBS Studios, remaining one of the most-watched dramas in U.S. primetime television. With a vast global audience, multiple successful spin-offs, and high viewership across various platforms, the franchise’s expansion into “NCIS: Origins” aligns with its enduring popularity.
David Stapf, President of CBS Studios, praised the expansion, highlighting the expertise of the creative team and their deep understanding of the character and universe of NCIS.
“NCIS: Origins” reunites Monreal and North, who collectively contributed a decade to writing for NCIS. Monreal, having recently worked on various projects like Netflix’s “Griselda,” “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” and an upcoming project for Hulu, brings diverse experience to this new venture.
The announcement of “NCIS: Origins” adds another compelling chapter to the enduring legacy of the NCIS universe, promising to captivate audiences with the untold story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early years.
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