'NCIS' Prequel Casts Its Young Leroy Jethro Gibbs

The NCIS franchise continues to make news with more additions to the lineup. Today, CBS announced that Austin Stowell has been cast as young Leroy Jethro Gibbs—the role made famous by Mark Harmon—in NCIS: Origins, which is slated to premiere in the fall 2024-2025 season.

Related: CBS Orders New Drama NCIS: Origins Featuring a Younger Gibbs

Set in 1991, NCIS: Origins goes back to the early days of Gibbs’ career as a probie NCIS agent, who begins his career 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 role of Franks, which was originated by Muse Watkins, will also be recast.

Related: The Who, What, Why and When for the NCIS Franchise’s 1,000th Episode

The series will be narrated by Harmon, who exited his role as Gibbs in Season 19 and will serve as an executive producer with his son Sean Harmon, who played the younger Gibbs several times on the mothership; David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal. North and Monreal are writing the premiere episode—no pilot needed as this is going straight to series—and will serve as the co-showrunners.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing this new chapter to life along with Mark and Sean Harmon,” said Monreal and North. “This really is the making of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. And even the most dedicated NCIS fans will discover that they don’t know the whole story.”

Powell’s TV credits include A Friend of the Family, The Hating Game opposite Lucy Hale, and Breathe. He starred opposite George Clooney, Chris Abbott and Hugh Laurie in the limited series Catch 22, in Steven Spielberg’s anthology series Amazing Stories, and Public Morals.

Next, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo Return to the NCIS Universe in a Tony/Ziva Spinoff