The Full NCIS: Origins Cast: 12 Key Actors And Characters Unveiled For The Young Gibbs Prequel

The long-awaited prequel series, NCIS: Origins, is set to be the biggest television event of the 2024-2025 broadcast season, offering fans a deep dive into the formative years of the legendary Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Following the character in 1991, years before the events of the flagship NCIS, the show focuses on Gibbs' early career at the fledgling Naval Investigative Service (NIS) office at Camp Pendleton. With a premiere date locked for Monday, October 14, 2024, the anticipation is palpable, especially with the latest casting announcements that connect the series to the wider NCIS universe and even set up major storylines for a potential second season. This is the definitive, most current list of every major actor and character confirmed for the new CBS spinoff.

The series is a passion project, co-developed by franchise veterans and based on an original idea from Mark Harmon's son, Sean Harmon, who previously played the younger Gibbs in flashback episodes of the main series. Mark Harmon himself will serve as the narrator, grounding the new show in the mythology that millions of fans have followed for decades. The casting choices for this prequel have been meticulously selected to capture the essence of the beloved original characters while introducing fresh faces to the NCIS world.

The Core NIS Team: Full Cast & Biography Profiles

The heart of NCIS: Origins rests on the shoulders of the actors portraying the young agents at the NIS Camp Pendleton office. Here is a complete breakdown of the main cast, their characters, and their professional backgrounds.

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Austin Stowell as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs

• Character Role: The newly minted NIS Special Agent, fresh out of the Marine Corps. The series will explore the pivotal moments that shaped him into the stoic, rule-bending agent fans know, including his early relationships and the beginning of his signature rules.
• Biography Snapshot: Austin Miles Stowell (born December 24, 1984) is an American actor from Kensington, Connecticut. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut's Department of Dramatic Arts in 2007.
• Career Highlights: Stowell is known for his roles in films like Whiplash, Bridge of Spies, and The Hating Game. His television credits include Secret Life of the American Teenager and the Hulu series Catch-22.

Kyle Schmid as Special Agent Mike Franks

• Character Role: The older, more experienced NIS agent who becomes Gibbs' first partner and eventual mentor. The prequel will explore the early dynamic of their complicated, enduring relationship.
• Biography Snapshot: Kyle Schmid (born August 3, 1984) is a Canadian actor from Toronto, Ontario. He began his acting career at a young age, quickly establishing himself in film and television.
• Career Highlights: Schmid is best known for his main roles as Alex Caulder in the History Channel series Six and as Henry Durham in the Syfy series Being Human. He also appeared in the films The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and A History of Violence.

Mariel Molino as Special Agent Cecilia "Lala" Dominguez

• Character Role: A brand-new character to the NCIS universe. Lala Dominguez is a former Marine who is fiercely determined to stand out and prove herself in the male-dominated environment of the NIS. She is a key figure in the early Gibbs storyline, with the show revealing her secret main impact on the original NCIS canon.
• Biography Snapshot: Mariel Molino is a first-generation American actress who takes pride in her Mexican heritage. She has a strong background in both American and Spanish-language productions.
• Career Highlights: Molino starred as the lead, Elena, in the Freeform mystery thriller series The Watchful Eye and had a recurring role in the Fox drama Promised Land. She has also starred in Amazon’s first original film for Mexico.

Tyla Abercrumbie as Officer Mary Jo Sullivan

• Character Role: An underappreciated, overworked officer who acts as the "glue" that keeps the Camp Pendleton office running smoothly. She is often seen as a protective figure, a mother bear to the agents, particularly Gibbs.
• Career Highlights: Abercrumbie is a veteran actress known for her role as Nina Williams in the popular drama series The Chi. Her casting brings a seasoned television presence to the prequel's supporting team.

Major Recurring & Guest Stars: Backstories and Crossovers

The series will not only focus on Gibbs and Franks but will also delve into the backstories of other legacy characters and introduce new, critical entities that shape the early NCIS world.

The Season 2 Surprise: Phillip Winchester

In a major development that hints at the show's long-term plans, Phillip Winchester has been confirmed to join the cast for the second season as Mason Franks, the older brother of Mike Franks. This casting is a significant move, as Winchester is an established television lead, and his character will undoubtedly explore Mike Franks' personal history and family dynamics.

• Phillip Winchester Career Highlights: Winchester is best known for his long-standing roles as Sgt. Michael Stonebridge in the action series Strike Back and as Peter Stone in the Chicago Justice and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit franchises.

The Young Dwayne Pride Crossover

One of the most exciting pieces of news involves a crossover with the NCIS: New Orleans universe. The show will feature a younger version of Agent Dwayne Pride, played by Shea Buckner. This episode will also feature two other legacy characters, expanding the "Fed Five" mythology of the original NCIS team:

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• Shea Buckner as Young Dwayne Pride. Buckner is known for roles in Only Murders in the Building and is also a former Olympian.
• Adam Kulbersh as NIS Special Agent Felix Betts.
• Mark Deklin as NIS Special Agent Dan McLane.

The Supporting NCIS: Origins Cast Entities

To build a rich, authentic world set in 1991, the show has cast several talented actors in key supporting roles that will provide context and conflict for the young agents:

• Patrick Fischler as Cliff Walker: Details on Walker's exact role are limited, but Fischler is a veteran character actor known for his intense performances in shows like Mad Men and Lost.
• Tonantzin Carmelo as Tishmal: Carmelo, an acclaimed Native American actress, is known for her work in Westworld and The English. Her character, Tishmal, is expected to play a crucial part in a storyline that may tie into Gibbs' personal life or a specific case.
• Marisa Baram as Gail Price: Baram's character is part of the Camp Pendleton office staff, likely providing administrative or technical support to the agents.
• Ely Henry as NIS Junior Chemist: Henry's character represents the early, less-advanced state of forensic science at the NIS, contrasting sharply with the high-tech NCIS labs of the present day.

The Story and Setting: Why This Prequel Matters

NCIS: Origins is not just a procedural; it's an exploration of trauma, mentorship, and the birth of a legend. The series is set in October 1991, a time when the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) was still finding its footing and operating with fewer resources than the modern-day Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

The narrative begins with Gibbs returning from his Marine service and joining the NIS at the Camp Pendleton office. This is a crucial period in Gibbs' life, as he is a widower following the tragic death of his first wife, Shannon, and daughter, Kelly. The show is expected to address the emotional weight that drove Gibbs to become a federal agent, shifting his career path from Marine sniper to investigator. The relationship with Mike Franks, who is tasked with training the new agent, will be a central theme, showcasing how their bond of respect and loyalty was forged under pressure.

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The decision to cast Austin Stowell as the lead was personally approved by Mark Harmon, who felt Stowell immediately captured the complex, intense nature of the young Gibbs. Harmon's narration adds a layer of continuity and authority, ensuring that the prequel remains faithful to the established character canon. With the introduction of key LSI entities like the NIS Camp Pendleton setting, the early 1990s time frame, and the inclusion of other legacy characters like Dwayne Pride, NCIS: Origins promises to be a rich, compelling addition to the expansive NCIS franchise.