Two major characters in the NCIS universe are tied for appearing in the most NCIS shows, but the tiebreaker may come down to NCIS: Origins.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs, originally portrayed by Mark Harmon, and Leon Vance, played by Rocky Carroll, will both have appeared in four NCIS shows. Gibbs’ character has been featured on the flagship NCIS, NCIS: New Orleans, JAG, and NCIS: Los Angeles. With NCIS: Origins, Gibbs will mark his presence in a fifth series within the NCISverse. The new show will explore Gibbs’ backstory, taking audiences back to 1991 at Camp Pendleton, where Gibbs began his career as an NCIS agent.
Meanwhile, Leon Vance has also appeared in four NCIS shows: NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai’i. However, Vance may have the opportunity to surpass Gibbs with the upcoming Season 2 of NCIS: Sydney. Since Vance has been featured in every NCIS show to date except for NCIS: Sydney, his inclusion in the new season would make him the most featured character in the franchise.
NCIS: Origins, narrated by Mark Harmon, will premiere on September 1, 2024, on Paramount+. The series will chronicle Gibbs’ early years, starting in 1991, as he begins his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NIS Camp Pendleton office. Gibbs will be portrayed by Stowell, who will depict the character’s rise within a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks. This exploration of Gibbs’ backstory will provide fans with deeper insight into the origins of one of the franchise’s most iconic characters.
As fans await the premiere of NCIS: Origins, they also speculate on Vance’s potential appearance in NCIS: Sydney, which could further solidify his presence across the NCIS franchise. The ongoing expansion of the NCIS universe continues to captivate audiences, keeping them invested in the journeys of their favorite characters.