"NCIS" Prequel Series Focused on Younger Gibbs in Works

CBS has ordered an “NCIS” prequel series focusing on a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

The series is titled “NCIS: Origins” and will air during the 2024-2025 season. It will be set in 1991 with Mark Harmon (who played Gibbs for nearly two decades) serving as narrator. 

The official logline reads, “In the series, Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.”

Harmon will executive produce with his son, Sean Harmon, who originally brought the idea of a young Gibbs show to CBS. 

Sean has previously played a younger version of his father’s character in episodes of “NCIS,” but he will focus on executive producing the new series, and casting for the lead role will begin shortly.

David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal co-write the pilot and will serve as executive producers and co-showrunners on the series. 

North and Monreal both wrote on “NCIS” for 10 years, with North currently serving as co-showrunner on that show. CBS Studios produces.

This marks the latest expansion of the “NCIS” franchise. In addition to the main series, which is going into its 21st season, CBS also currently airs “NCIS: Hawaii” while “NCIS: Sydney” airs on Paramount+ and CBS. CBS also previously aired “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “NCIS: New Orleans”.

Harmon began playing the character of Gibbs when “NCIS” first debuted on CBS in 2003 after originating the character on fellow CBS series “JAG”. 

It was announced in 2021 that Harmon would be leaving the show, with his final episode airing during Season 19. He remains an executive producer on “NCIS.”

“NCIS: Origins” is also the latest show ordered to series at CBS. The broadcaster recently picked up the medical drama “Watson” starring Morris Chestnut, in which he will play Sherlock Holmes’ companion Dr. John Watson. 

The network is also preparing to launch the new shows “Tracker”, starring Justin Hartley, and “Elsbeth” starring Carrie Preston in February. 

There is also CBS’ upcoming update of “Matlock” starring Kathy Bates and the multi-cam comedy “Poppa’s House.” The latter two shows are slated to air during the 2024-2025 season as well.