NCIS: Origins Season 2 – Will It Happen? Everything We Know

The new spinoff NCIS: Origins represents a major change for the long-running procedural franchise, but will the Gibbs-centric prequel return for season 2? Debuting in late 2024, NCIS: Origins concerns young Agent Leroy Gibbs (originally played by Mark Harmon and now played by Austin Stowell) as he begins his career at Camp Pendleton in 1991 under his mentor, Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid). Exploring the early days of the franchise’s most beloved hero, Origins is the first spinoff of NCIS to take place earlier in the show’s timeline and eschew the typical procedural format found in other off-shoots.

Though NCIS has been airing since 2003, NCIS: Origins marks the first time in the franchise’s history that a spinoff has tried something new. The character-driven narrative not only serves to flesh out Gibbs, but also to deliver crucial context to what comes much later in the timeline. Instead of the narrowly-focused weekly cases of NCIS and its spinoffs, Origins (and the upcoming Tony & Ziva spinoff) shows a path forward for NCIS as it continues to set TV records. All that said, NCIS: Origins season 2 isn’t confirmed yet, but it could get the green light soon.

NCIS: Origins Season 2 Is Not Confirmed

CBS Hasn’t Ordered A Second Season Yet

With a lot of buzz surrounding the debut season of NCIS: Origins, it is somewhat surprising that CBS has been tight-lipped about the show’s future. Presumably, the spinoff is intended to be an ongoing series that will span across multiple seasons, but nothing has been confirmed yet. As such, Origins season 2 is not confirmed, and the network is likely waiting to see how the latest franchise installment fares before they make their final decision regarding its fate. NCIS as a franchise is in an odd place in the early 2020s, and Origins isn’t a sure-fire hit.

• NCIS: Origins airs Mondays at 9pm EST on CBS

Though most of the show’s off-shoots have done well, recent shows like NCIS: Hawaii were less fortunate, and CBS wasn’t sentimental when axing it from their slate. However, with the promise of Mark Harmon’s return as Gibbs, and a more recognizable framework for the story, there’s little doubt that Origins will be able to hold its own in a crowded fall schedule. With the other character-driven spinoff, Tony & Ziva, also looming, CBS needs Origins to work as proof that the future of the franchise is in specialized spinoffs.

NCIS: Origins Season 2 Cast Details

Expect Gibbs & His Team To Return

The cast of NCIS: Origins is chock-full of familiar characters, even if the actors playing them have changed since the old days of NCIS. Austin Stowell was given the daunting task of playing the younger version of Gibbs, and he has slotted into the role excellently. Since it’s his origin story that lends the spinoff its title, it stands to reason that Stowell will be back in the lead role alongside the likes of Kyle Schmid as Gibbs’ mentor, Agent Mike Franks. Shockingly, Mark Harmon returned to play Gibbs (largely as a narrator) in season 1, but it’s unclear if the actor is looking to make it a full-time gig.

Another expected return is Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez, and her storyline seems to be just as crucial to the plot as Gibbs’. Similarly, Tyla Abercrumbie should be back as Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Sullivan, and Diany Rodriguez should reprise her role as Special Agent Vera Strickland, since Strickland is an original character in NCIS.

The likely cast of NCIS: Origins season 2 includes:

Actor	NCIS: Origins Role
Austin Stowell	Young Agent Gibbs
Mark Harmon	Older Agent Gibbs
Kyle Schmid	Mike Franks
Mariel Molino	Agent Lala Dominguez
Tyla Abercrumbie	Officer Mary Jo Sullivan
Diany Rodriguez	Agent Vera Strickland
Daniel Bellomy	Agent Granville “Granny” Dawson
Caleb Martin Foote	Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolf
Julian Black Antelope	ME Kai Blackrock
Patrick Fischler	SAC Cliff Walker
Robert Taylor	Jackson Gibbs

NCIS: Origins Season 2 Story Details

Watch Young Gibbs Become The Agent Fans Know & Love

As it stands now, it’s impossible to guess exactly what will happen in NCIS: Origins season 2 since the season 1 finale hasn’t aired yet. Unlike the procedural series found in the rest of the franchise, Origins will likely employ overarching narratives that will grow and change from season to season. Season 1 likely won’t see Gibbs learn all the crucial skills he put to good use in NCIS, and there are likely more important connections he still needs to make.

Furthermore, Gibbs’ emotional storyline could take on a new dimension going forward as he learns how to really deal with the grief of losing his wife and daughter to a murder. This development will likely shape Stowell’s Gibbs into the stoic and sure Gibbs that viewers met in the original series, but NCIS: Origins still has a long way to go before the accomplished agent can become self-actualized.

A young Gibbs embarks on his journey as a Naval Investigative Service agent in the early 1990s. Set against the backdrop of Camp Pendleton, the series explores Gibbs’ formative years, the cases that shaped him, and the mentors who guided his path, including Mike Franks.

Cast

Mark Harmon , Austin Stowell , Robert Taylor , Patrick Fischler , Kyle Schmid , Diany Rodriguez , Tyla Abercrumbie , Mariel Molino

Character(s)

Narrator , Leroy Jethro Gibbs , Jackson Gibbs , Cliff Walker , NIS Special Agent Mike Franks , NIS Special Agent Vera Strickland , Mary Jo Sullivan , NIS Special Agent Lourdes Dominguez

Release Date

October 14, 2024

Seasons

1