The NCIS: Origins Cast Revealed: 7 Stars Bringing Young Gibbs' World To Life (Updated 2025)

The *NCIS* universe expanded its formidable legacy with the debut of *NCIS: Origins* in late 2024, and as of today, December 18, 2025, the show is already deep into production for its highly anticipated second season. This prequel series dives into the early career of the iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs, tracing his path from a newly minted NIS (Naval Investigative Service) agent in 1991 to the stern, rule-breaking leader fans have known for decades. The cast is a blend of rising stars and familiar television veterans tasked with portraying the younger versions of beloved characters and introducing new faces crucial to Gibbs' formation. The excitement surrounding the show is palpable, especially with recent announcements confirming new and returning cast members for Season 2, solidifying its place as one of CBS’s key procedural dramas. The series is narrated by the original Gibbs himself, Mark Harmon, lending an authoritative continuity to the narrative as it explores the formative years of the legendary agent's life and career.

The Core Cast of NCIS: Origins and Their Profiles

This list details the principal actors and their roles in *NCIS: Origins*, providing a brief biography to give context to their professional background before joining the major television franchise.

• Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs
  • Character Role: The young, ambitious, and driven NIS Special Agent, fresh out of training and beginning his career at the Camp Pendleton NIS office.
  • Biography: Born in 1984, Austin Miles Stowell is an American actor known for his roles in major films such as *Whiplash* (2014) and Steven Spielberg’s *Bridge of Spies* (2015). He also starred in the *Dolphin Tale* franchise and the Netflix series *Keep Breathing*. His casting was a pivotal moment, taking on the mantle of a character made famous by Mark Harmon.
• Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks
  • Character Role: NIS Special Agent Mike Franks, Gibbs' legendary and famously cynical mentor. This portrayal shows Franks in his prime, a seasoned agent who takes the young Gibbs under his wing.
  • Biography: The Canadian actor, born in 1984, is instantly recognizable to TV audiences for his main roles as Alex Caulder in the History Channel military drama *Six* and as Henry Durham in the Syfy series *Being Human*. He also appeared in *Copper* and the film *A History of Violence*.
• Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez
  • Character Role: A former Marine whose NIS career is marked by her sharp wit, ambition, and a strong sense of self-reliance. She is a new character introduced in the prequel's timeline.
  • Biography: Mariel Molino is a Mexican American actress who has built a versatile career across both the US and Latin American markets. She is known for her starring role in the ABC drama *Promised Land* and for being cast in Amazon’s first original film for Mexico.
• Tyla Abercrumbie as Officer Mary Jo Sullivan (Hayes)
  • Character Role: A NIS agent who works closely with Gibbs and Franks, known for her dedication and pragmatic approach to investigations.
  • Biography: Born in 1986, Tyla Abercrumbie is an accomplished American actress, writer, and director from Chicago. She is widely known for her recurring role as Nina Williams in the popular Showtime drama series *The Chi*.
• Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland
  • Character Role: A NIS agent focused on the emerging field of criminal profiling, often at odds with the more traditional, instinct-driven methods of Franks and Gibbs.
  • Biography: Diany Rodriguez is a Puerto Rican actress whose previous notable work includes roles in *The Blacklist* and *New Amsterdam*. Her character pays off a long-forgotten plot point from an earlier season of the flagship *NCIS* series.

Major New and Returning Figures in Season 2

The commitment to a second season, which premiered shortly after the first, has allowed *NCIS: Origins* to deepen its ties to the established *NCIS* lore by introducing younger versions of other beloved characters and expanding the supporting cast. The addition of these actors ensures the prequel is laying a solid foundation for the future of the franchise.

The Introduction of Young Dwayne Pride and Mason Franks

The most significant new casting news for the current season revolves around the introduction of two characters who will become mainstays in the broader *NCIS* universe, particularly the "Fed Five" group of agents. * Phillip Winchester as Mason Franks: The older brother of Mike Franks, Mason is set to appear in Season 2. This casting is a major coup, bringing in a seasoned procedural star. Winchester is an American actor best known for his leading roles as Sergeant Michael Stonebridge in the action series *Strike Back*, Peter Stone in *Chicago Justice* and *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, and the titular role in *The Player*. His character's introduction promises to shed new light on Mike Franks' past and family life, and likely Gibbs' early interactions outside the immediate NIS team. * Shea Buckner as Young Dwayne Pride: In a highly anticipated move, the series has cast Shea Buckner to play a younger version of Dwayne Pride, the character famously portrayed by Scott Bakula across seven seasons of *NCIS: New Orleans*. Buckner, known for his work in *Only Murders in the Building*, will bring to life the early days of Pride, who eventually becomes the Supervisory Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS New Orleans office. This casting officially begins the on-screen formation of the legendary "Fed Five," the tight-knit group of agents that included Gibbs, Pride, and Franks.

The 1991 Setting: A Key Entity in Gibbs' Evolution

The year 1991 is not just a random date; it is a crucial topical entity that defines the entire premise of *NCIS: Origins*. This period is set right after Gibbs graduates from the NIS boot camp, establishing the context for his transformation from a Marine to a federal agent. The series is set in the Camp Pendleton NIS office, a location that grounds the story in the military-adjacent world that defines Gibbs. The narrative is expected to explore the early stages of Gibbs' personality—the nascent rules, the quiet intensity, and the development of his signature investigative style. * The NIS Transition: The show's focus on the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) is a deliberate choice. The NIS was the precursor to the modern Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). The series will highlight the procedural differences and the challenges faced by agents during this organizational transition. * Early Mentorship: The relationship between Austin Stowell's Gibbs and Kyle Schmid's Mike Franks is the emotional core of the series. Franks is the original mentor who teaches Gibbs the ropes, often with a gruff, street-smart approach that contrasts with the official protocol, laying the groundwork for Gibbs' own rule-breaking tendencies. * Jackson Gibbs' Influence: Robert Taylor, who plays Gibbs’ father, Jackson Gibbs, is another key entity. The complex, often strained relationship between Gibbs and his father is a recurring theme in the flagship series, and *Origins* promises to explore the roots of that dynamic in the early 90s. The ensemble cast, featuring the talents of Austin Stowell, Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Diany Rodriguez, is perfectly positioned to deliver a fresh, yet familiar, take on the beloved franchise. With the addition of Phillip Winchester and Shea Buckner for Season 2, *NCIS: Origins* is not just a prequel; it is a vital new chapter that actively connects the dots across the entire *NCIS* universe, making it essential viewing for long-time fans and new viewers alike.