The cast ofNCIS: Originsis in an exciting position to makeNCIShistory. The stars of the Leroy Jethro Gibbs prequel series will be the first actors cast in anNCISspinoff positioned in the past. Mark Harmon played Jethro Gibbs in the original series, but Austin Stowell will take over the character inNCIS: Origins' 1991 setting. Instead, Harmon will return to narrate the prequel story and is also part of the production as an executive producer with his son, Sean Harmon.Aside from Gibbs,NCIS: Originsstorywill bring back other familiar characters with new faces.
NCIS: Originsis the fifthspinoff in theNCISfranchise, but it is, in many ways, the first of its kind. It’s the first offshoot to expand on the story of an originalNCIScharacter. The series will delve into the relationship between Gibbs and Special Agent Mike Franks, played by Muse Watson in the original show. The characters have a significant history to share, butNCIS: Originswill also introduce new elements and characters to the franchise. The show will mix seasoned storylines with new beginnings.
15 Essential Gibbs Episodes To Watch While Waiting For NCIS: Origins
Here’s 15 essential NCIS episodes for Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs to watch while waiting for the NCIS: Origins spinoff starring Austin Stowell.
Austin Stowell As Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Date Of Birth: August 23, 2025
Actor: Born and raised in Connecticut,Austin Stowell received widespread attention for his role as Kyle Connellan inDolphin Storywith Morgan Freeman in 2011. A few years later, in 2013, Stowell featured inWhiplashas Ryan Connolly with J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller and then joined Tom Hanks in the cast of Steven Spielberg’sBridge of Spiesin 2015 as Francis Gary Powers. Stowell recently had a starring role opposite Lucy Hale inThe Hating Gamein 2021, leading up toNCIS: Origins.
The Hating Game
Joshua Templeman
Character: Austin Stowell will play young Leroy Jethro Gibbs as he transitions out of the Marine Corps and starts as an NIS agent at Camp Pendleton in 1991.
Mariel Molino As Special Agent Lala Dominguez
Date Of Birth: July 11, 2025
Actor: Raised in San Diego, California,Mariel Molino’s first role was as a cheerio on FOX’s hit television series,Glee,in 2015. Since then, Molino has been in television series over the last decade, with a couple of short films, including her role in the 2021 shortLux Noctis.Leading up toNCIS: Origins,Molino played Carmen Sandoval in ABC’s epic dramaThe Promised Landin 2022 and starred as Elena Santos in Freeform’sThe Watchful Eyetelevision series in 2023.
The Watchful Eye
Elena Santos
Character: Mariel Molino will play Special Agent Lala Dominguez, described as a former member of the Marine Corps looking to prove herself in a male-dominated field.
Kyle Schmid As Special Agent Mike Franks
Date Of Birth: August 11, 2025
Actor: Born in Ontario, Canada,Kyle Schmid is known for his roles in several BBC televisionseries, including Robert Morehouse inCopperfrom 2012 to 2013 and Henry Durham inBeing Humanfrom 2012 to 2014. Schmid starred in History Channel’s military dramaSixfrom 2017 to 2018 and had a recurring role in ABC’sBig Skyin 2021. He has also appeared in several films, includingThe Covenant,The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,and David Cronenberg’sHistory of Violence.
Big Sky
John Wayne Kleinsasser
Character: Kyle Schmid will play Mike Franks, who was established as Leroy Jethro Gibbs’s mentor and former partner in the originalNCISseries.
Diany Rodriguez As Special Agent Vera Strickland
Date Of Birth: 1988
Actor: Born in Puerta Rico and raised in Alabama,Diany Rodriguez rose to fame for her roles in television series likeThe Blacklist,The Outsider,andTwisted Metal.That said, Rodriguez has roles in noteworthy films, such asPitch Perfect 3in 2017 andThe Suicide Squadin 2021 with Margot Robbie. Rodriguez has had consistent television appearances leading up toNCIS: Origins,including a minor role as DHS Agent Garcia inNCIS: New Orleansin season 4 in 2017.
The Blacklist
Weecha Xiu
Character: Diany Rodriguez will play Special Agent Vera Strickland, a no-nonsense character established in the original series by Roma Maffia as Mike Franks' last partner before he retired in 1996.
Roma Maffia plays Vera Strickland inNCISseason 11, episode 3, “Under the Radar.”
Tyla Abercrumbie As Officer Mary Jo Sullivan
Date Of Birth: Unknown
Actor:Tyla Abercrumbie is best known for her role inThe Chi,in which she has played the Nina Williams character in all six seasons. She is also known for her roles in popular TV series, such as the Tamara Folsom character inProven Innocentin 2019 and Patty inUtopiain 2020. One of Abercrumbie’s most prominent TV roles outsideThe Chileading up toNCIS: Originswas as Julia in six episodes of NBC’sThe Shrink.
The Chi
Nina Williams
Character: Tyla Abercrumbie will play Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Sullivan, the self-dubbed"Head Secretary in Charge."
The Naval Investigative Service (NIS) was reorganized in 1992 to form the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
NCIS: Origins Supporting Cast & Characters
Mark Harmon as Narrator: Mark Harmon is playing Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the originalNCISseries, and the actor will return asGibbs to narrate theNCIS: Originsseries.
Patrick Fischler as Cliff Walker: Patrick Fischler, known for his roles inLostandMad Men,will portray the head of NIS' Pendleton office, Special Agent in Charge Cliff Walker.
Patrick Fischler plays Glenn Smith inNCIS: Hawai’iseason 1, episode 14, “Broken.”
Robert Taylor as Jackson Gibbs:Known forLongmireandThe Matrix,Robert Taylor will portray Jethro Gibbs' father, Jackson Gibbs, a character established by Ralph Waite in the originalNCISseries.
Daniel Bellomy as Special Agent Granville “Granny” Dawson: Daniel Bellomy, known for guest roles inFBI: InternationalandBlue Bloods,will play Special Agent Granny Dawson, a probationary agent and the Evidence Custodian’s assistant.
Caleb Martin Foote as Special Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolf: Known forThe Kids Are AlrightandAmerican Horror Story,Caleb Martin Foote will play the team’s lovable golden boy tasked with showing Gibbs the NIS ropes.
Julian Black Antelope as Chief Medical Examiner Kai Blackrock: Known forTribalandThe Secret History of: The Wild West,Julian Black Antelope will portray Kai Blackrock, an experienced medical examiner with ties to NIS.
Bobby Moynihan as Woodrow “Woody” Browne: Bobby Moynihan, best known for many years as a regular on theSaturday Night Livecast, will play Woody Browne, the director of the NIS forensics lab.
Lori Petty as Dr. Lenora Friedman: Lori Petty ofA League of Their OwnandFree Willywill portray Dr. Lenora Friedman, a seasoned pathologist at the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office.
NCIS: Originsairs Monday nights afterNCISon the fall 2024-2025 CBS TV schedule.
NCIS: Origins
Cast
NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, preceding the events of the original series. The series introduces Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Under the leadership of NCIS legend Mike Franks, Gibbs navigates his role within a tenacious, unconventional team.
