Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ team underwent changes from JAG to NCIS, sparking curiosity about this overlooked aspect of the CBS crime drama. Created by Don McGill and Donald Bellisario, NCIS debuted in 2003 amid the rise of popular police procedurals like CSI and Law & Order. Now, over two decades later, NCIS remains a TV powerhouse, consistently ranking among the top shows, with only CBS’ Tracker surpassing it in the 2023-2024 ratings.
Despite evolving entertainment trends, NCIS shows no signs of slowing down. While none of the original NCIS cast remain, the series has successfully adapted and thrived. There’s significant intrigue surrounding its early years, highlighted by the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast, which reunites cast members to revisit the show’s origins.
Interestingly, NCIS was launched as a spinoff with a special two-episode backdoor pilot within JAG. This debut featured a team around Gibbs that differed slightly from the one eventually seen in NCIS, marking a pivotal yet lesser-known aspect of its origin story.
