Showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal defend the decision to create NCIS: Origins, a prequel series set in the 1990s that explores Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early years in the agency, despite Mark Harmon’s character having led the flagship NCIS series for 19 years. While CBS has previously launched several spinoffs, including NCIS: Sydney, this is the first time the franchise is delving into a prequel. However, some fans have questioned the necessity of further expanding Gibbs’ story.
In an interview with TV Line, North and Monreal addressed the backlash, explaining that NCIS: Origins will reveal new aspects of Gibbs’ past, particularly focusing on the beginning of his relationship with Mike Franks. They emphasized that although fans may feel they know Gibbs well, there is still much to explore about his early days at NIS. North stated, “They don’t know as much as they think they do. Seeing Gibbs arrive at NIS on Day 1, and seeing how Gibbs became Gibbs…? You will realize there’s so much to explore.” Monreal added, “We’ve not seen that dynamic between ‘probie’ Gibbs and Mike Franks. It gives Gibbs a different kind of shading than we’ve seen before as a character.”
NCIS: Origins has the potential to change how Gibbs’ story is perceived in the main series. While Gibbs was famously private about his past, the prequel will delve into his life following the tragic deaths of his first wife, Shannon, and daughter, Kelly. This period was briefly addressed in the original series, but NCIS: Origins will offer a more detailed look at how these events shaped him. Additionally, the prequel will likely explore Gibbs’ subsequent marriages and his complex relationship with Diane, who later married Tobias Fornell.
Harmon will narrate the series, with Austin Stowell playing the young Gibbs and Kyle Schmid portraying a young Mike Franks, originally played by Muse Watson. The show will start in 1991, with Gibbs transitioning from the Marines to his new role at NIS, and it promises to highlight his vulnerable moments and evolving dynamic with Franks.
As NCIS: Origins debuts, NCIS season 22 is set to continue moving forward without Gibbs, further establishing Alden Parker’s leadership of the current MCRT team. This prequel serves as both a deep dive into Gibbs’ backstory and a way to honor his legacy as the franchise evolves.
