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

The anticipation surrounding NCIS: Origins has reached a fever pitch, especially with the prequel series set to delve into the formative years of the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs. As of December 2025, the cast roster is locked in and constantly evolving with exciting updates for the upcoming season, promising a fresh look at the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) in the gritty, pre-NCIS world of the early 1990s. This article breaks down every key player bringing the Camp Pendleton office to life, from the agents stepping into iconic roles to the new faces driving the procedural drama's narrative.

Set in 1991, years before the flagship show began, NCIS: Origins is more than just a flashback; it's a deep dive into the backstory of a TV icon, narrated by the original Gibbs himself, Mark Harmon. The casting choices are crucial, tasked with capturing the essence of beloved characters while establishing their own unique identities. From the young, ambitious Marine-turned-agent to his future mentor, here is the complete, updated guide to the talented actors making up the core cast of this highly-anticipated CBS drama.

The Main Cast of NCIS: Origins and Their Detailed Profiles

The success of any prequel hinges on the actors chosen to portray younger versions of established characters, and NCIS: Origins has assembled a powerhouse ensemble. Here is a look at the main cast members, their roles, and their most notable career highlights before joining the NCIS universe.

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• Austin Stowell as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs: The man tasked with filling the boots of Mark Harmon, Stowell plays the titular character as a new agent at the Camp Pendleton office. He is a former Marine who is still finding his place in the world of criminal investigation.
• Kyle Schmid as Special Agent Mike Franks: Schmid steps into the role of Gibbs’ future mentor, a seasoned and often gruff agent who takes the young Gibbs under his wing. Franks is a pivotal figure in Gibbs' development, and Schmid brings a wealth of experience from action and procedural dramas.
• Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez: A new character to the NCIS lore, Lala Dominguez is a sharp, ambitious agent whose career is skyrocketing due to her keen intelligence and determination. She serves as a co-lead alongside Gibbs and Franks.
• Tyla Abercrumbie as FOS Director: Abercrumbie plays the FOS (Federal Office of Security) Director, a high-ranking official overseeing the Naval Investigative Service office.
• Caleb Martin Foote as Special Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolf: Described as the team’s “golden boy,” Randolf is a key member of the Camp Pendleton unit, adding a fresh dynamic to the team.
• Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland: A no-nonsense agent, Vera Strickland is known for her tenacity and ability to cut through red tape to get the job done.

Austin Stowell: Stepping into the Iconic Role of Young Gibbs

Austin Stowell, born December 24, 1984, is an American actor whose career has spanned both film and television. His selection as the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs is perhaps his most high-profile role to date.

• Birth Date: December 24, 1984
• Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut, U.S.
• Education: University of Connecticut (B.F.A. in Acting)
• Notable Previous Roles:
  • Film: *Dolphin Tale* (2011) and *Dolphin Tale 2* (2014) as Kyle Connellan.
  • Film: *Love and Honor* (2013) as Dalton Joiner.
  • Television: *The Secret Life of the American Teenager* (2009–2011) as Jesse.
• Preparation for Gibbs: Stowell has the challenging task of portraying the stoic, rule-bending agent while showing the vulnerability and ambition of a man just starting his career in the NIS.

Kyle Schmid: The Seasoned Veteran as Mike Franks

Canadian actor Kyle Schmid is perfectly cast as the younger version of Mike Franks, the agent who teaches Gibbs the ropes. Schmid brings a rugged, experienced presence to the screen, which aligns perfectly with the character’s future portrayal by Muse Watson in the original series.

• Birth Date: August 3, 1984
• Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Notable Previous Roles:
  • Television: *Blood Ties* (2007) as Henry Fitzroy.
  • Television: *Six* (2017–2018) as Alex Caulder.
  • Television: *Copper* (2012–2013).
  • Film: *The Pacifier* (2005).
• Character Dynamic: His relationship with Stowell’s Gibbs is central to the *Origins* plot, exploring the early, turbulent stages of their famous mentor-protégé dynamic.

Mariel Molino: The Breakout Star as Lala Dominguez

Mariel Molino is a versatile actress making a significant impact in both US and Latin American markets. Her role as Special Agent Lala Dominguez is a major addition to the NCIS canon, introducing a strong female lead who is an equal to her male counterparts in the male-dominated environment of the early '90s.

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• Hometown: San Diego, California, U.S. (with Mexican heritage)
• Career Highlights:
  • Starred in Amazon’s first original film for Mexico.
  • Known for her versatile roles across different genres and languages.
  • Co-lead role in *NCIS: Origins* is considered her major US breakout.
• Character Role: As a brilliant and ambitious agent, Lala Dominguez is expected to be a key driver of the series' investigations and a crucial element in the team’s structure.

Fresh Updates and Key Entities in the NCIS: Origins Universe (2025–2026)

The world of NCIS: Origins is constantly expanding, and the latest news confirms that the show is deeply committed to connecting its narrative to the broader *NCIS* universe. The focus on *topical authority* means paying attention to the details that fans care about most: legacy characters, plot connections, and future seasons.

The Mark Harmon Factor: Narration and Crossover

One of the most exciting aspects confirmed for the series is the involvement of Mark Harmon. Not only does he serve as an executive producer, but he also provides the narration for the entire series, linking the new show directly to the original *NCIS* legacy. This storytelling device helps bridge the gap between Stowell’s young agent and the iconic character fans know.

Furthermore, a major update for the 2025-2026 season confirms a special crossover event. Mark Harmon is set to reprise his role as the older Leroy Jethro Gibbs in a crossover episode scheduled for November 2025. This event will provide a powerful narrative connection, likely involving a present-day reflection on a past case from the *Origins* timeline, adding immense value for long-time viewers.

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Season 2 Confirmation and New Cast Additions

The series has already received a Season 2 confirmation, a strong indicator of the network's confidence in the *prequel series*. This early renewal has allowed for strategic casting updates to keep the storyline fresh and engaging.

• Series Regular Promotion: Ahead of the winter premiere, a recurring star was officially promoted to a series regular, suggesting their character will play a much more significant role in the ongoing investigations at the Camp Pendleton office.
• Legacy Character Introductions: The show is actively introducing younger versions of other legacy characters from the *NCIS* universe. One episode is confirmed to feature a young Dwayne Pride, the main character from the spin-off *NCIS: New Orleans*, with actors Adam Kulbersh and Mark Deklin cast in key roles for that episode. This confirms the show's intention to be a true *origins story* for the entire franchise.
• Philip Winchester Addition: Actor Philip Winchester, known for his roles in *Strike Back* and *Chicago Justice*, has been added to the Season 2 cast, further expanding the ensemble and introducing new dynamics to the team.

The Early 1990s Setting and Topical Entities

The setting of 1991 is a crucial *topical entity* for the show. It places the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) in a pivotal era—just before it was rebranded as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). This allows the show to explore a different kind of procedural drama, one without the advanced technology and forensic methods familiar to modern viewers. The *early '90s* aesthetic, combined with the focus on the Camp Pendleton military base, provides a unique backdrop for the investigations.

The show's core premise revolves around the *fledgling* NIS office, highlighting the challenges of military criminal investigation before the organization became the well-oiled machine seen in the flagship show. The dynamic between Gibbs, Franks, and the new characters like Lala Dominguez will showcase how the agency's foundational principles were established. The presence of the FOS Director (Federal Office of Security) further emphasizes the bureaucratic and political environment of the era, adding layers of complexity to the agents’ work.

With a confirmed Season 2, a major Mark Harmon crossover in 2025, and a talented cast bringing the *prequel* to life, *NCIS: Origins* is poised to become a cornerstone of the *NCIS* franchise. Fans can look forward to a deep, character-driven narrative that finally answers the question: how did Leroy Jethro Gibbs become the agent we know and love?