WhileNCIS: Originshas introduced a few new faces to theNCISfranchise, some of its most important players debuted first in the flagship series. The prequel centers on one of the most essentialNCIScharacters of all time: Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Mark Harmon established the character for nearly two decades on the flagship series untilGibbs exitedNCISseason 19. Austin Stowell took over as a younger version of the character for the prequel offshoot, which tells stories about the agency in 1991.
TheNCIS: Originsstorybrought back characters consistent with Gibbs’NCISlore, with five recognizable faces so far. The new faces to theNCIS: Originscast include Randy (Caleb Martin Foote) and Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino), who Gibbs never mentions on the flagship but plays a significant role in the special agent’s origin story at NIS. Other characters like Mary Jo (Tyla Abercrumbie) and Cliff Wheeler (Patrick Fischler) fill out the narrative. Still, the prequel’s familiar characters anchor its premise.
5Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Mark Harmon
Of course, the most significant existing character the prequel reintroduces is Leroy Jethro Gibbs.Austin Stowell takes over the character as Mark Harmon narrates his journeyas the older Gibbs. Although there are considerable differences in their appearance, Stowell mimics Harmon’s mannerisms and characteristics well.
With Stowell in the role, NCIS: Origins season 1 has recreated Gibbs' story from 1991 by remaking vital flashbacks, revealing new stories, and fleshing out pivotal connections like his relationship with Michael Franks.
While theNCISflagship established a younger version of Gibbs, the franchise opted not to bring back Mark Harmon’s son, Sean Harmon, as the young Gibbs. The younger Harmon plays an adolescent version of the man in charge in seven outings fromNCISseason 6 to 18. With Stowell in the role,NCIS: Originsseason 1 has recreated Gibbs' story from 1991 by remaking vital flashbacks, revealing new stories, and fleshing out pivotal connections like his relationship with Mike Franks.
4Mike Franks
Muse Watson
Another central character in theNCIS: Originscastis Special Agent Michael “Mike” Franks, played by Kyle Schmid in the prequel offshoot.Mike Franks is established as Gibbs' mentor in theNCISflagshipshow’s third season. Muse Watson plays the original version of Gibbs' mentor, appearing at the end of the show’s third season to wake the Special Agent in Charge from a significant lapse in his memory.
NCIS: Origins Episode 11 Sidelining Gibbs Somehow Made It Better
NCIS: Origins episode 11 shifts focus from Gibbs to Mike Franks, and it demonstrates why the show needs to focus on other characters more often.
Watson’s appearance in the penultimate episode and finale ofNCISseason 3 makes the double episode one of thebest episodes ofNCIS, as it establishes Franks and Gibbs' bond. The actor appeared as Mike Franks in 20 episodes ofNCIS,mainly as a current character but also as a ghost after Mike Franks’NCISdeath.NCIS: Originsfleshes out the backstory of Gibbs' mentor in episode 11, making good on its NCIS origins theme.
3Vera Strickland
Roma Maffia
Another character who developed a strong presence in the flagship series is Special Agent Vera Strickland, played by Diany Rodriguez inNCIS: Origins.Despite only appearing once on the flagship,Roma Maffia established a robust personality as the special agentinNCISepisode 11. She was featured directly afterCote de Pablo’sNCISexit as Ziva Davidas Vera neared retirement.
Watch Roma Maffia appear as Special Agent Vera Strickland inNCISseason 11, episode 3, “Under the Radar,” on Paramount+.
In her flagship appearance,Vera Strickland worked alongside Special Agent Tony DiNozzo(Michael Weatherly) on a case after Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) loses his NCIS credentials. Vera called the Agent in Charge"probie"when she entered the bullpen, establishing that Agent Strickland was there during Gibbs' earliest NCIS days.NCISseason 11established that Vera is Mike Franks' last NCIS partner, cementing the canon forNCIS: Origins.
2Tobias Fornell
Joe Spano
While he has only made one brief appearance,NCIS: Originshas established a younger version of FBI agent Tobias Fornell. Joe Spaono appeared in over 50 episodes of theNCISflagship as the character, achieving a noteworthy feat. His latest appearance was during NCIS' 1000th episode, where he returned to crack a case that was tied to the show’s very first one.
5 NCIS Prequels We Want After NCIS: Origins
There are a few NCIS characters who are as compelling as Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs and could hold their own in a prequel series.
Considering his rich history, it was natural forNCIS: Originsto establish a younger version of Tobias Fornell, and the prequel character can help clarify its oldest blunder inNCISlore. In the pilot episode,NCISseason 1, episode 1, “Yankee White,” Fornell doesn’t seem to recognize Gibbs as an NCIS agent when he sees him on Air Force One, allowing the Agent in Charge to pull a fast one. Later,NCISconfusingly establishes that Gibbs and Fornell have known each other for years.
1Pedro Hernandez
Thomas Rosales Jr.
It was essential to bring back the final character on the list to the prequel sinceThomas Rosales Jr.’s Pedro Hernandez plays a vital roleinwhat happened to Gibbs' wife and daughter inNCIS.The drug dealer murdered Gibbs' wife and child while they were in NCIS protective custody after Gibbs' first wife, Shannon, agreed to testify against the cartel member. Shannon witnessed a murder carried out by the drug dealer, and he killed her to keep her from testifying while Gibbs was deployed.
Synopsis
NCISseason 3, episode 23, “Hiatus (Part I)”
Gibbs sees Pedro Hernandez in a flashback to Mexico when the special agent killed his family’s murderer.
NCISseason 9, episode 14, “Life Before His Eyes”
Gibbs sees Pedro Hernandez in the diner while he is experiencing hallucinations during a near-death encounter.
In flashbacks in season 3,NCISshows Gibbs getting the news about Shannon and Kelly’s deaths. TheNCIS: Originsstory recreated those flashbacks in season 1, so it was vital to include Hernandez, played by George Paez, inNCIS: Origins. In bothNCISand its prequel offshoot, flashbacks establish that Gibbs journeys to Mexico to murder Pedro Hernandez with a sniper rifle personally. The prequel recreates the scene inNCIS: Originsepisode 9, making Hernadez’s inclusion vital to telling a complete story forNCIS: Origins.
NCIS
TheNCISfranchise is an American media franchise that focuses on military-related criminal investigations by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It began withNCISin 2003, a spin-off fromJAG, and has since expanded to include multiple spin-offs set across different locations.
