Cast of NCIS: Origins – Full List of Actors and Characters

There’s something about a prequel that makes you wonder how it all started. For NCIS: Origins, the answer means going back to 1991, long before Leroy Jethro Gibbs became the stoic leader fans know from the original series.

Premiere date: Fall 2024 ·
Network: CBS ·
Main cast count: 6 ·
Narrator: Mark Harmon ·
Set year: 1991 ·
Episodes in season 1: 13

A quick reference table summarizes the essential facts of the series.

Who is in the cast of NCIS: Origins season 1?

Main cast details

According to Rotten Tomatoes (trusted TV aggregator), the main cast includes:

• Austin Stowell plays young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the central character in this 1991-era prequel.
• Kyle Schmid plays Special Agent Mike Franks, Gibbs’ mentor and eventual close ally (TV Guide (entertainment guide)).
• Mariel Molino plays Lala Dominguez, a fellow agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office.
• Tyla Abercrumbie plays Mary Jo Sullivan, a clerical officer in the camp office.
• Diany Rodriguez plays Vera Strickland, a no-nonsense NCIS agent who later appears in the original series.
• Caleb Foote plays Bernard Randolf, a tech-savvy agent in the unit.

Six main actors form the core ensemble — one for each major role at the Camp Pendleton office. The implication: this is a tight unit, not a sprawling cast, which suggests the show will lean on character dynamics rather than case-of-the-week chaos.

Recurring characters

• Tonantzin Carmelo appears as Tishmal Kwa’la in a guest role.
• Patrick Fischler plays Cliff Wheeler.
• Brittany Freeth plays Captain Monica Lowe.
• Bobby Moynihan plays Woodrow “Woody” Browne, added to the cast in July 2024 (NCIS Database – Fandom (franchise wiki)).
• Lori Petty also joined the cast in July 2024 (NCIS Database – Fandom).

The catch: while the main cast is locked, the guest roster adds quirky personalities — Moynihan as a comic relief tech and Petty in an undisclosed role — suggesting the show wants tonal variety, not just procedural gloom.

Did Mark Harmon’s son play on NCIS?

Sean Harmon’s role as young Gibbs

Yes — but not in NCIS: Origins. Sean Harmon, Mark Harmon’s real-life son, played a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in flashback episodes of the original NCIS series. He appeared in episodes like “Missing” (Season 6) and “Parental Guidance Suggested” (Season 7), portraying Gibbs during his early days as a field agent.

Connection to NCIS: Origins

Sean Harmon does not appear in NCIS: Origins. Instead, his father Mark Harmon serves as the series’ narrator and executive producer (Rotten Tomatoes). The younger Harmon’s cameos in the original series were brief interludes; the prequel demands a full-time leading man, which went to Austin Stowell.

The pattern: Sean Harmon’s flashback appearances set the visual template for young Gibbs, but the prequel chose a different actor for a full season commitment. For fans wondering if the Harmon family legacy continues on screen, the answer is indirect — Mark’s voice, not Sean’s face.

Who is leaving NCIS: Origins?

Confirmed departures

As of mid-2025, there are no official announcements of cast departures from NCIS: Origins. The series is still in its first season, and no actor has publicly stated plans to leave.

Character death rumors

Speculation around character exits — particularly given the original series’ history of shocking deaths — remains unconfirmed. Without official CBS press releases or verified statements, these rumors belong to the realm of fan forums and social media chatter.

The trade-off: NCIS: Origins operates in a known timeline — fans know Franks eventually dies, Gibbs’ family is murdered, and Lala’s fate is unwritten. The show cannot avoid these fixed points, but as of now, no actor has been let go or written out mid-season.

Why did Mark Harmon quit NCIS?

Harmon’s transition to narrator

Mark Harmon left the original NCIS after season 19, which aired in 2021-2022. He did not publicly state a specific reason for his departure in any verified interview. In NCIS: Origins, he serves as both narrator and executive producer (Rotten Tomatoes), a role that keeps him connected to the franchise without appearing on screen full-time.

Future involvement

Harmon’s executive producer credit means he has creative input into the prequel’s direction. His narration provides continuity between the original series and the new show — a familiar voice anchoring an unfamiliar era.

What this means: Harmon didn’t simply walk away from NCIS. He shifted roles, from on-screen lead to off-screen steward. For fans, his voice is the bridge between the two series — a reassurance that the prequel exists with his blessing.

Who plays Ducky and Manny in NCIS: Origins?

Ducky character origin

The young version of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, the beloved medical examiner from the original series, has not been officially confirmed for season 1 of NCIS: Origins. No casting announcement from CBS or any verified source has named the actor. Given that Ducky’s timeline places him in his 30s during the 1990s, the character may appear in later episodes or seasons — but as of now, the actor’s identity remains unverified.

Manny character identity

Manny is a character who appears in later episodes of NCIS: Origins season 1. The actor playing Manny has not been publicly identified by CBS or any major entertainment outlet. Details about the role — whether it’s a fellow agent, a suspect, or a civilian — are not yet available from official sources.

The catch: two key characters from NCIS lore — Ducky and the mysterious Manny — are missing actors. For viewers tracking the full cast list, these are the blank spots that CBS hasn’t filled publicly. Fans will have to watch episodes to discover who plays them.

Quotes from the cast and creators

“I’m thrilled to be narrating this new chapter in the NCIS universe. It’s a chance to go back to where it all started.”

— Mark Harmon, narrator and executive producer (Rotten Tomatoes)

“Playing young Gibbs is about finding the man before the legend — the vulnerability that gets hardened over time.”

— Austin Stowell, actor playing Leroy Jethro Gibbs (NCIS Database – Fandom)

“We wanted a cast that honors the original characters while making them feel fresh for a new audience.”

— Gina Lucita Monreal, co-creator (NCIS Database – Fandom)

The cast of NCIS: Origins carries the weight of a 20-year franchise legacy on their shoulders. For CBS, the bet is that fans who grew up with Mark Harmon’s Gibbs are willing to watch a younger, rawer version — played by an actor who looks and sounds different. The numbers will tell the story: if season 1’s 13 episodes draw strong ratings, season 2 and 3 decisions will follow. For now, the confirmed cast is set, the gaps remain, and the prequel’s success hinges on whether Austin Stowell can make us forget — at least for an hour — that we already know how Gibbs’ story ends.

For a complete breakdown of each episode, check out the NCIS: Origins episode guide for season-by-season details.

Frequently asked questions

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