“We’re really strict about sticking to it” – NCIS: Origins showrunner teases how Season 2 will be connected to NCIS

NCIS: Origins is a prequel to NCIS that tells the backstory of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Since Gibbs’ life story has already been established in the original show, the prequel’s showrunners make extra efforts to ensure that the narrative is canon.

The first season of the show delved into Gibbs’ past, showcasing several events in detail that had been mentioned in the mothership series. Showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal has now revealed that NCIS: Origins Season 2 will further connect the narrative to NCIS, as the writers' team is very strict about canon. She said in an interview with TVLine:

“We always have our eye on canon. We have a big, huge timeline in the writers' room, and we're really strict about sticking to it.”

Gina Lucita Monreal reveals NCIS: Origins Season 2 will focus more on the NCIS canon

Monreal added that NCIS: Origins Season 2 will address more events from Gibbs’ past that have already been established in NCIS:

“The canon matters to us, and we never want to ignore it. So, all the things that we’re seeing in canon, we will address one way or another.”

Apart from Gibbs, the police procedural drama has also explored the past of veteran NCIS characters like Mike Franks. On the other hand, the series has thrown in some new characters as well, who haven’t been heard of in the original show, but seemed to have a great impact on Gibbs’ life, for example, Special Agent Cecilia "Lala" Dominguez.

At the end of Season 1, Lala meets with an accident and her fate hangs in the balance, which could explain her absence from Gibbs’ life in later years. However, the showrunners have so far remained tight-lipped about whether Lala would survive the accident.

NCIS: Origins premiered on CBS in October 2024 and received positive reviews from the audience and critics, which led to its renewal for a second season in February 2025. The series marks the sixth project in the NCIS franchise, and its synopsis reads:

“Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.”

The show stars Austin Stowell as Gibbs, who was played by Mark Harmon in the mothership show. Harmon returns to the franchise as the narrator of the prequel.

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The rest of the cast includes Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks, Mariel Molino as Cecilia "Lala" Dominguez, Tyla Abercrumbie as Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Hayes, Caleb Foote as Special Agent Bernard "Randy" Randolf, and Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland.

NCIS: Origins Season 1 is available to stream on Paramount+.

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