“Gibbs and Vance Compete for NCIS Record as Franchise Expands”
The unexpected cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i hasn’t slowed down the expansion of the NCIS franchise, with two new shows on the horizon. NCIS: Origins, a prequel to the original series, is set to follow a young L. Jethro Gibbs during his early days at Camp Pendleton, portrayed by Austin Stow. This new series sets Gibbs on a path to potentially break a franchise record, one that NCIS Director Leon Vance is also vying for.
Originated by Mark Harmon, Gibbs has been the face of the franchise for nearly 20 years, appearing not only in the parent series and its prequel but also in the New Orleans spin-off and JAG. Surprisingly, he never made an appearance on the Los Angeles offshoot. On the other hand, Rocky Carroll’s Leon Vance, introduced in the fifth season of the original show, has become a crucial part of the franchise, appearing in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawai’i.
As the NCIS Director, Vance naturally checks in on other field offices occasionally. With mentions on NCIS: Sydney, there’s speculation about his potential appearance in the Australian-set spin-off. Moreover, with Origins bringing back familiar agents, there’s a chance young Gibbs could encounter a younger Vance, even for a brief appearance. Vance might also check in on former agents Tony and Ziva in their upcoming spin-off.
The NCIS franchise, thriving for over two decades, continues to captivate audiences with its crossovers and character developments. Whether portrayed by Mark Harmon and Rocky Carroll or not, fans hope to see Gibbs and Vance on their screens for years to come. The battle for the series appearances record remains intriguing, but one thing is certain: NCIS: Origins promises to add a new layer to the franchise’s rich tapestry, debuting on CBS this fall. In the meantime, fans can catch up on episodes of the parent show with a Paramount Plus subscription.
