While NCIS: Origins has introduced a few new faces to the NCIS franchise, some of its most important players debuted first in the flagship series. The prequel centers on one of the most essential NCIS characters of all time: Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Mark Harmon established the character for nearly two decades on the flagship series until Gibbs exited NCIS season 19. Austin Stowell took over as a younger version of the character for the prequel offshoot, which tells stories about the agency in 1991.
The NCIS: Origins story brought back characters consistent with Gibbs' NCIS lore, with five recognizable faces so far. The new faces to the NCIS: Origins cast include Randy (Caleb Martin Foote) and Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino), who Gibbs never mentions on the flagship but plays a significant role in the special agent's origin story at NIS. Other characters like Mary Jo (Tyla Abercrumbie) and Cliff Wheeler (Patrick Fischler) fill out the narrative. Still, the prequel's familiar characters anchor its premise.
5 Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Mark Harmon
Of course, the most significant existing character the prequel reintroduces is Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Austin Stowell takes over the character as Mark Harmon narrates his journey as the older Gibbs. Although there are considerable differences in their appearance, Stowell mimics Harmon's mannerisms and characteristics well.
While the NCIS flagship established a younger version of Gibbs, the franchise opted not to bring back Mark Harmon's son, Sean Harmon, as the young Gibbs. The younger Harmon plays an adolescent version of the man in charge in seven outings from NCIS season 6 to 18. With Stowell in the role, NCIS: Origins season 1 has recreated Gibbs' story from 1991 by remaking vital flashbacks, revealing new stories, and fleshing out pivotal connections like his relationship with Mike Franks.
4 Mike Franks
Muse Watson
Another central character in the NCIS: Origins cast is Special Agent Michael "Mike" Franks, played by Kyle Schmid in the prequel offshoot. Mike Franks is established as Gibbs' mentor in the NCIS flagship show's third season. Muse Watson plays the original version of Gibbs' mentor, appearing at the end of the show's third season to wake the Special Agent in Charge from a significant lapse in his memory.
Watson's appearance in the penultimate episode and finale of NCIS season 3 makes the double episode one of the best episodes of NCIS, as it establishes Franks and Gibbs' bond. The actor appeared as Mike Franks in 20 episodes of NCIS, mainly as a current character but also as a ghost after Mike Franks' NCIS death. NCIS: Origins fleshes out the backstory of Gibbs' mentor in episode 11, making good on its NCIS origins theme.
3 Vera Strickland
Roma Maffia
Another character who developed a strong presence in the flagship series is Special Agent Vera Strickland, played by Diany Rodriguez in NCIS: Origins. Despite only appearing once on the flagship, Roma Maffia established a robust personality as the special agent in NCIS episode 11. She was featured directly after Cote de Pablo's NCIS exit as Ziva David as Vera neared retirement.
In her flagship appearance, Vera Strickland worked alongside Special Agent Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) on a case after Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) loses his NCIS credentials. Vera called the Agent in Charge "probie" when she entered the bullpen, establishing that Agent Strickland was there during Gibbs' earliest NCIS days. NCIS season 11 established that Vera is Mike Franks' last NCIS partner, cementing the canon for NCIS: Origins.
2 Tobias Fornell
Joe Spano
While he has only made one brief appearance, NCIS: Origins has established a younger version of FBI agent Tobias Fornell. Joe Spaono appeared in over 50 episodes of the NCIS flagship as the character, achieving a noteworthy feat. His latest appearance was during NCIS' 1000th episode, where he returned to crack a case that was tied to the show's very first one.
Considering his rich history, it was natural for NCIS: Origins to establish a younger version of Tobias Fornell, and the prequel character can help clarify its oldest blunder in NCIS lore. In the pilot episode, NCIS season 1, episode 1, "Yankee White," Fornell doesn't seem to recognize Gibbs as an NCIS agent when he sees him on Air Force One, allowing the Agent in Charge to pull a fast one. Later, NCIS confusingly establishes that Gibbs and Fornell have known each other for years.
1 Pedro Hernandez
Thomas Rosales Jr.
It was essential to bring back the final character on the list to the prequel since Thomas Rosales Jr.'s Pedro Hernandez plays a vital role in what happened to Gibbs' wife and daughter in NCIS. The drug dealer murdered Gibbs' wife and child while they were in NCIS protective custody after Gibbs' first wife, Shannon, agreed to testify against the cartel member. Shannon witnessed a murder carried out by the drug dealer, and he killed her to keep her from testifying while Gibbs was deployed.
Thomas Rosales Jr.'s NCIS Appearances As Pedro Hernandez | Synopsis |
|---|---|
NCIS season 3, episode 23, "Hiatus (Part I)" | Gibbs sees Pedro Hernandez in a flashback to Mexico when the special agent killed his family's murderer. |
NCIS season 9, episode 14, "Life Before His Eyes" | Gibbs sees Pedro Hernandez in the diner while he is experiencing hallucinations during a near-death encounter. |
In flashbacks in season 3, NCIS shows Gibbs getting the news about Shannon and Kelly's deaths. The NCIS: Origins story recreated those flashbacks in season 1, so it was vital to include Hernandez, played by George Paez, in NCIS: Origins. In both NCIS and its prequel offshoot, flashbacks establish that Gibbs journeys to Mexico to murder Pedro Hernandez with a sniper rifle personally. The prequel recreates the scene in NCIS: Origins episode 9, making Hernadez's inclusion vital to telling a complete story for NCIS: Origins.
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