The cast of the NCIS prequel series is coming together. While the show will be led by Austin Stowell as the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, more details have been revealed about some of the other characters.
Per Deadline, the two latest additions to NCIS: Origins are actors Patrick Fischler and Julian Black Antelope. They join previously announced cast members Stowell, Mariel Molino, Kyle Schmid, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Diany Rodriguez. Mark Harmon, who played Gibbs in the original NCIS, is serving as the narrator for the series, reprising his role as the older version of the character.
Fischler’s known for appearing in other shows like Mad Men, Once Upon a Time, Lost, and Barry. He recently appeared in the acclaimed film American Fiction. In NCIS: Origins, he’s playing NCIS Special Agent in Charge Cliff Walker, who’s in charge of the NIS Pendleton Office. The character is described as constantly “seeing his little-known agency pushed aside by bigger fish, Walker puts his career on the line to earn NIS Pendleton the respect it deserves.”
Antelope had a memorable role as Chief Kehetu in Hulu’s hit Predator prequel movie Prey. His other credits include The Flash, Grendel, and Joe Pickett. The actor’s NCIS: Origins role will see him as Chief Medical Examiner Kai Blackrock, described as “at the top of his game, working out of the busy San Diego County M.E.’s Office. Though he appears unflappable, Blackrock’s complicated ties to NIS force him to face his own vulnerabilities.”
“We are elated and honored to continue the expansion of the NCIS universe in such a unique and unexpected way,” CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach said of the prequel series in a statement when it was first announced. “Viewers can look forward to Mark Harmon returning to CBS to narrate the complex and mysterious backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early years in NCIS: Origins, which will build on the rich legacy of this character while reintroducing fan-favorite characters and meeting new ones.”
The NCIS Franchise Expands Further
The original series remains ongoing, as it was just renewed for the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, NCIS: Sydney also has a second season in the works, and Paramount+ will serve as the streaming home for the upcoming spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Not every show in the franchise has been so lucky, however, as NCIS: Hawai’i was canceled.
NCIS: Origins will debut on CBS during the 2024-25 season. An exact premiere date hasn’t yet been announced.
