NCIS: Originssubtly recast two original characters for its Gibbs prequel series. The franchise announced theNCISspinoff in early 2024, exploring the backstory ofcentralNCIScharacterLeroy Jethro Gibbs as he started on NCIS in 1991. As the Monday, October 14, premiere date for the series looms, more details shed light on the series. It has been clear that the series recast Gibbs' character withThe Hating Game’s Austin Stowell, and it’s also known that Kyle Schmid is stepping into the role of Gibbs' former partner and mentor, Mike Franks.
Additionally, the series will beckon new characters into thesharedNCISuniverse, like Mariel Molino’s Special Agent Lala Dominguez or Caleb Martin Foote’s Special Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolf, tasked with showing Stowell’s young Gibbs the ropes. Still, while new characters will be essential to building outGibbs' story inNCIS: Origins,all eyes will be on existing characters as they debut under a new guise. AndNCIS: Originshas officially recast the two most important characters in Gibbs' origin story: Gibbs' wife and daughter.
The NCIS: Origins Spinoff Recasts Shannon & Kelly Gibbs
Gibbs' Wife And Daughter Have New Representation
In theNCIS: Originstrailerthat dropped in September 2024, some clips show Gibbs' wife and daughter, Shannon and Kelly, in flashbacks or dreams. What’s immediately apparent from the clips is thatShannon and Kelly Gibbs have new representation inNCIS: Origins.It isn’t clear how prominent their roles in the prequel series are, but the tragic circumstances surrounding their death — whichOriginspromises to explore — will limit their number of appearances. The trailer hints at Gibbs' tragedy being a focus for other characters, casting doubt on Gibbs' ability as anNCISagent.
It is crucial to include these characters in the new series so thatNCIS: Originscan explore the events that caused their deaths.
The original series detailedwhat happened to Gibbs' wife and daughter inNCISon the flagship.NCIS: Originshas an opportunity to explore this tragedy and how it impacted Jethro Gibbs further. It is crucial to include these characters in the new series so thatNCIS: Originscan dig into the events that caused their deaths. The series will likely return to moments with Gibbs' wife and daughter in the new series to examine his grief and better place him in time. As such,Originscan build on Gibbs' backstory while keeping timelines cohesive.
Why NCIS: Origins Also Needs To Recast Gibbs' First Family
Shannon And Kelly Are Always The Same Ages
It was essential forNCIS: Originsto include Shannon and Kelly Gibbs, and it was also necessary for the franchise to cast new actors to play the parts. Just like Mike Franks and Gibbs himself,the actors and characters in the originalNCISseries are too oldto revive their parts. Not only have the actors aged since the original series, butNCIS: Originswill go back in time. While Kelly and Shannon only need to be portrayed as the same age inNCIS— the age they were before their deaths — the original actors have still aged out of their roles.
Aviva Farber also portrayed Shannon Gibbs inNCISseasons 6 and 7 as a younger version of Shannon.
When portrayed as an adult,WaitressstarDarby Stanchfield played the original Shannon Gibbs. Like Gibbs' Mark Harmon, Stanchfield, introduced as Shannon in 2006, would be too old to revive her role. Since Shannon and Kelly are always portrayed at the age they died, Shannon needed to be played by a younger actor. For instance, since Kelly Gibbs needed to remain around 8 years old, four different actors have portrayed Gibbs' daughter throughoutall 21 seasons ofNCIS.
Shannon & Kelly’s NCIS: Origins' Recasting Makes It Easier For Austin Stowell To Take Over Gibbs
NCIS: Origins Will Revive Gibbs' Entire Family
It’s good thatNCIS: Originshas recast Shannon and Kelly Gibbs because it would be odd to see Stowell sharing scenes with the same Shannon and Kelly Gibbs who shared the screen with Harmon. Stanchfield and one of the many Kelly Gibbs actorsreviving their roles as Shannon and Kelly Gibbs is not just impracticalbecause the characters never age; it would also feel unnatural to see the same characters on-screen with a new representation of Gibbs. The new Shannon and Kelly actors are crucial to selling the new Gibbs.
NCIS: Originspremieres on CBS on Monday, October 14 at 9 p.m. ET.
While the faces of Shannon and Kelly will shift again, their basic characteristics and demeanors will stay the same.TheNCIS: Originstrailer shows Gibbs, Shannon, and Kelly reveling in shared happiness, emulating the same jubilee that Gibbs had with his family in the original series. Recasting the roles is essential for the new series, but it also continues a franchise tradition of multiple actors representing Gibbs' most critical family members throughout time.NCIS: Originsrecasting Shannon and Kelly proves these characters are strong enough to comprise multiple representations cohesively.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
NCIS: Origins
NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, preceding the events of the original series. The series introduces Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Under the leadership of NCIS legend Mike Franks, Gibbs navigates his role within a tenacious, unconventional team.
