What Happened to NCIS: Origins?
NCIS: Origins is a prequel series exploring the early career of Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 1991, with Mark Harmon serving as executive producer and narrator. The series premiered in October 2024 and was renewed for a second season in February 2025, followed by a third season renewal in January 2026. Most notably, Mark Harmon is set to return on-screen as the present-day Gibbs in all ten episodes of the upcoming third season, participating in a season-long mystery tied to his character's past.
Quick Answer
NCIS: Origins, a prequel series to the popular 'NCIS' franchise, premiered on CBS in October 2024, with Mark Harmon as an executive producer and narrator. The show, which follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, was renewed for a second season in February 2025 and a third season in January 2026. As of June 2026, Mark Harmon is confirmed to make a full-time, on-screen return as the present-day Leroy Jethro Gibbs in all ten episodes of the upcoming third season, which will air in Fall 2026, engaging in a mystery connected to his 1990s Camp Pendleton days.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
NCIS: Origins Announced
CBS officially announced 'NCIS: Origins,' a prequel series focusing on a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with Mark Harmon attached as an executive producer and narrator.
Austin Stowell Cast as Young Gibbs
Austin Stowell was cast in the pivotal role of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with other main cast members like Mariel Molino and Kyle Schmid also joining.
Included in CBS Primetime Schedule
CBS included 'NCIS: Origins' on its 2024–25 primetime schedule, confirming its slot for the upcoming television season.
Additional Cast Members Join
Lori Petty and Bobby Moynihan joined the cast in recurring roles, further expanding the ensemble.
Series Premiere
NCIS: Origins premiered on CBS with a two-part episode, featuring Mark Harmon's narration and a brief on-screen cameo as the elder Gibbs.
Full Season 1 Order
CBS ordered five additional episodes for the first season, bringing the total episode count to 18.
Season 2 Renewal
The series was renewed for a second season by CBS, following a successful initial run.
Season 2 Premiere
The second season of NCIS: Origins premiered on CBS, continuing the story of young Gibbs's early career.
Crossover Event with Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon made a special guest appearance as the elder Gibbs during a crossover event between 'NCIS' and 'NCIS: Origins'.
Season 3 Renewal & Showrunner Change
NCIS: Origins was renewed for a third season. Concurrently, co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal announced her departure, with David J. North continuing as the sole showrunner.
Season 2 Finale Airs
The second season concluded with a cliffhanger, featuring the kidnapping of Randy and a significant moment between Gibbs and Lala.
Mark Harmon Confirmed for Full On-Screen Return in Season 3
CBS announced that Mark Harmon will return on-screen as the present-day Leroy Jethro Gibbs in all 10 episodes of the upcoming third season, involved in a season-long mystery tied to his past. Season 3 will have a reduced episode order and air in Fall 2026.
Season 3 Premiere (Expected)
The third season of NCIS: Origins is scheduled to premiere in Fall 2026, airing on Tuesdays at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 'NCIS' universe expanded significantly with the announcement of 'NCIS: Origins' in January 2024, a prequel series designed to delve into the formative years of the iconic character Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Mark Harmon, who famously portrayed Gibbs for nearly two decades in the flagship series, was confirmed to be heavily involved as an executive producer alongside his son, Sean Harmon, and as the series' narrator. The show casts Austin Stowell as a young Gibbs in 1991, beginning his career as a Probationary Naval Investigative Service (NIS) Agent at the Camp Pendleton office.
'NCIS: Origins' officially premiered on October 14, 2024, on CBS, with its first season consisting of 18 episodes. Harmon made a brief on-screen appearance in the two-part pilot episode, setting the stage for his narrative role. The series quickly gained traction, leading to a renewal for a second season in February 2025, which also comprised 18 episodes and premiered on October 14, 2025. During its run, the show introduced key characters like Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino), and other members of the Camp Pendleton team, exploring Gibbs's early cases and personal struggles, including the trauma of his wife and daughter's murder.
A significant development occurred in January 2026 when CBS renewed 'NCIS: Origins' for a third season. This renewal, however, came with some creative changes; co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal announced her departure after the second season, leaving David J. North as the sole showrunner for Season 3. The second season concluded on May 5, 2026, with a cliffhanger involving the kidnapping of Randy and a pivotal first kiss between Gibbs and Lala.
The most anticipated news, breaking on June 30, 2026, confirmed Mark Harmon's substantial return to the series. He is slated to appear on-screen as the present-day Leroy Jethro Gibbs in every episode of the ten-episode third season. This full-time return will involve a season-long present-day mystery that directly ties into Gibbs's experiences during his 1990s Camp Pendleton days. Harmon had previously reprised his on-screen role as the elder Gibbs in a November 2025 crossover event between 'NCIS' and 'NCIS: Origins'. The third season is scheduled to premiere in Fall 2026, moving to a new timeslot on Tuesdays at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS, with episodes available for streaming on Paramount+.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if NCIS: Origins made different choices?