CBS has announced that Austin Stowell has been cast as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the upcoming drama series NCIS: ORIGINS. This new addition to the NCIS franchise, produced by CBS Studios, will delve into Gibbs’ early years and is set to premiere during the 2024-2025 broadcast season.
Narrated by Mark Harmon, NCIS: ORIGINS will take viewers back to 1991, preceding the events of the original NCIS series. The show follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs as he begins his career as a newly minted special agent at the NIS Camp Pendleton office. He joins a gritty and determined team led by renowned NCIS legend Mike Franks.
Austin Stowell is best known for his roles in Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, where he played Kyle Connellan, as well as his portrayal of Dalton Joiner in Love and Honor alongside Liam Hemsworth. His television credits include appearances in “A Friend of the Family,” “The Hating Game” opposite Lucy Hale, and “Breathe.” Stowell also starred in notable projects like Steven Spielberg’s anthology series “Amazing Stories,” where he worked with George Clooney, Chris Abbott, and Hugh Laurie. He also appeared in Spielberg and Ed Burns’ executive produced series “Public Morals” and had roles in films such as “Bridge of Spies” with Tom Hanks and “Whiplash,” which received critical acclaim.
NCIS: ORIGINS is being produced by CBS Studios, with Mark Harmon – who portrays Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the original NCIS – serving as an executive producer alongside Sean Harmon, David J. North, and Gina Lucita Monreal. North and Monreal are co-writing the premiere episode while also assuming co-showrunner responsibilities.
The broader NCIS franchise remains one of television’s most successful franchises globally. In fact, during the 2022-2023 TV season alone, it amassed over 300 million viewers across various platforms, including broadcast, cable, streaming, and syndication. The franchise is set to celebrate its thousandth episode in spring 2024.
As NCIS: ORIGINS delves into the early years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ career as a special agent, fans of the original series can anticipate an intriguing exploration of his character’s formative experiences.
