NCIS Prequel Will Bring Back Another Original Series Character
Recently, it was revealed that the NCIS franchise would soon be launching a new spinoff series called NCIS: Origins. The new show dives into the past of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon in the original series. Mike Franks, another character played by Muse Watson who was killed off in Season 8, will also be a big part of NCIS: Origins. Now, per TVLine, it’s been revealed that the prequel will also feature a young incarnation of Special Agent Vera Strickland (Roma Maffia), a character who briefly appeared in a Season 11 episode where she was introduced as a former partner of Franks.
The series takes the timeline back to 1991, picking up with a young Gibbs as a “newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.” In NCIS, the show previously featured Mark Harmon’s real-life son, Sean Harmon, playing a younger version of the Gibbs character. While both Harmons are serving as producers on the new show, Sean won’t be reprising his role as young Gibbs, as the plan is to find a new actor to cast. However, Mark will reprise his role as Gibbs by serving as the narrator of the show.
“The character of Gibbs has been an important part of my life for 20 years, both in watching my father craft the role and previously having the honor to play young Gibbs myself,” Sean Harmon said in a statement when the prequel was first announced. “I always felt there was a tale worth telling about his earlier years, so I am thrilled to be stepping into a producing role alongside Gina [Lucita Monreal], David [J. North] and my dad as we tell this story and reveal a new side of this beloved character.”
NCIS Remains Popular With Fans
The main series is also continuing on, as the show remains popular with fans, even after Mark Harmon’s exit in the nineteenth season of the show. Season 21 of NCIS will be premiering on Feb. 12, 2024, alongside the Season 3 premiere of the NCIS: Hawai’i spinoff series. NCIS: Origins is in development with plans to premiere during the 2024-25 television season. However, the new show does not yet have a set premiere date.
