NCIS: Origins Cast Revealed: Full List, Biographies, And Major Season 2 Updates
The highly-anticipated prequel series, NCIS: Origins, has successfully launched its first season, with the latest news confirming a second season premiere scheduled for October 2025 on CBS. This deep dive into the early career of Leroy Jethro Gibbs has captivated long-time fans, introducing a new ensemble cast tasked with bringing the iconic character's formative years to life. The show is set in the gritty, pre-NCIS world of the early 1990s, focusing on Gibbs's journey from a Marine to a Special Agent with the Naval Investigative Service (NIS).
The success of the series hinges on the chemistry and performance of its core actors, particularly Austin Stowell, who steps into the massive shoes of the legendary Mark Harmon. This article provides a comprehensive profile of the main cast, their on-screen characters, and the latest updates surrounding the show’s direction, ensuring you have the most current and detailed information available in December 2025.
The New Guard: A Complete Biography and Profile of the Core NCIS: Origins Cast
The casting for a prequel to one of television's longest-running and most successful franchises, NCIS, was a monumental task. The producers, including Mark Harmon, scoured for actors who could embody the essence of the original characters while bringing a fresh perspective to their younger counterparts. The following is a detailed look at the core ensemble that forms the backbone of the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) Camp Pendleton team.
- Austin Stowell as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs
- Born: December 24, 1984 (Age 40)
- Birth Place: Kensington, Connecticut, United States
- Career Highlights: Stowell is an American actor known for his roles in major films and television series. His notable credits include playing Kyle Connellan in the family film Dolphin Tale (2011) and its 2014 sequel, as well as Dalton Joiner in the romantic drama Love and Honor. Mark Harmon personally recalled casting Stowell, stating he felt "the room jump" and recognized a "movie star" quality in the actor, confirming he was the perfect choice to portray the young Gibbs. Stowell’s portrayal captures Gibbs shortly after the tragic loss of his first wife, Shannon, and daughter, Kelly, as he transitions from a Marine Gunnery Sergeant to a determined NIS agent.
- Kyle Schmid as Special Agent Mike Franks
- Born: August 3, 1984 (Age 41)
- Birth Place: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Career Highlights: Schmid is a Canadian actor with an extensive background in genre and action television. He is best known for his series regular roles as Alex Caulder in the History channel's military drama Six and as Henry Durham in the Syfy supernatural series Being Human. In NCIS: Origins, Schmid plays the younger version of Mike Franks, a character originally played by Muse Watson in the main NCIS series. Franks is Gibbs's first partner and mentor, a jaded but highly effective NIS agent who takes the young, raw Gibbs under his wing at the Camp Pendleton office.
- Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez
- Born: December 18, 1992 (Age 33)
- Birth Place: United States (Known to have started her career in Mexico City)
- Career Highlights: Molino is an American actress who has successfully worked in both Spanish-language and English-language productions. She held series regular roles in shows like Imagen TV's Muy Padres and the ABC drama Promised Land. Her character, Lala Dominguez, is a new creation for the prequel, serving as a dynamic and ambitious Special Agent at the Camp Pendleton NIS office. She provides a fresh perspective and a new layer of character interaction for Gibbs and Franks.
- Tyla Abercrumbie as Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Sullivan
- Born: 1986 (Age 39)
- Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Career Highlights: Abercrumbie is a respected American actress, writer, and director with a strong background in theatre. She is widely recognized for her role as Nina Williams in the popular drama series The Chi. In NCIS: Origins, she plays Mary Jo Sullivan, the Field Operation Support Officer (FOS) at the NIS office. Described as the "Head Secretary in Charge," Mary Jo is a crucial figure who assists Gibbs in his early days, providing logistical support and a no-nonsense attitude.
The Early '90s: Plot, Setting, and the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) Prequel
NCIS: Origins is not just a spin-off; it is a meticulously crafted prequel that transports the audience back to 1991, years before the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) transitioned into the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). The series is set primarily at the NIS Camp Pendleton office in California, a location steeped in the history of the Marine Corps, where Gibbs spent his military career. This setting is crucial, as it marks the beginning of Gibbs’s second life as a federal agent.
The central plot chronicles Leroy Jethro Gibbs's first assignment as a Special Agent, navigating the complexities of the NIS alongside his new mentor, Mike Franks. The show delves into the "Fed Five," a reference to the core group of agents at the Pendleton branch, including new characters like Lala Dominguez and the essential FOS Officer Mary Jo Sullivan. The narrative aims to reveal the key moments, moral dilemmas, and professional relationships that forged the stoic, rule-bending, and highly effective agent fans know from the main NCIS series.
The series creators have emphasized that the show will explore the emotional fallout from the murder of Gibbs’s first family, a pivotal event that was a constant shadow over his character in NCIS. The early '90s backdrop allows the show to explore a different kind of federal law enforcement—one without the advanced technology, forensic science, and inter-agency cooperation that define the modern NCIS team led by characters like Director Vance or the late Donald "Ducky" Mallard.
Mark Harmon's Role: Narrator, Producer, and the Future of the Gibbs Legacy
A major draw for long-time NCIS viewers is the continued involvement of Mark Harmon, the original Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Harmon serves as both an executive producer for the series and the narrator, guiding the audience through the early chapters of his character’s life. His voiceover provides a reflective, seasoned perspective, bridging the gap between the young, inexperienced agent and the weathered, iconic boss fans have followed for decades.
Harmon’s commitment to the project was instrumental, particularly in the casting of Austin Stowell. The original plan involved Harmon’s son, Sean Harmon, who previously played young Gibbs in flashback episodes of NCIS, but the role was ultimately recast to Stowell for the ongoing prequel series. Mark Harmon’s endorsement of Stowell confirmed the new actor's ability to carry the legacy forward.
Season 2 and Guest Appearances
The announcement of NCIS: Origins Season 2, set to premiere in October 2025, solidifies the show's place in the CBS lineup. Adding to the excitement, Mark Harmon is scheduled to make a guest appearance in an episode of the second season in November 2025, likely as the present-day Gibbs, creating a direct link between the prequel and the main timeline. This move is an intentional strategy to maintain topical authority and fan engagement by connecting the new cast with the established universe.
The prequel series also introduces other key figures who shape Gibbs’s professional world, including recurring characters like Betts (Adam Kulbersh) and McLane (Mark Deklin), further enriching the lore of the Naval Investigative Service. By focusing on the foundational relationships—the mentorship with Franks, the evolving dynamics with his fellow agents like Dominguez, and the administrative support from Sullivan—NCIS: Origins promises to be a compelling exploration of how a Marine Gunnery Sergeant became the enigmatic, rule-breaking Special Agent in Charge.
The show is a must-watch for anyone curious about the backstory of one of television's most enduring characters, providing fresh, unique, and up-to-date insight into the early days of the NCIS universe.
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