NCIS: Origins Casts Robert Taylor as Gibbs’ Dad — Plus, Two More Additions
Robert Taylor will step into the late, great Ralph Waite’s shoes by playing dad to a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in CBS‘ upcoming NCIS: Origins prequel series.
TVLine has learned that the Australian Longmire vet has been tapped to fill the recurring guest star role of Jackson Gibbs, the hard-nosed father of one-day NCIS team leader Jethro, who of course was played on the original series by Mark Harmon. (As previously announced, Austin Stowell, whose TV credits include Secret Life of the American Teenager and Peacock’s A Friend of the Family, will play the younger Gibbs in NCIS: Origins.)
Also new to the NCIS: Origins mix is Daniel Bellomy (Power Book II: Ghost) in the recurring guest star role of Special Agent Granville “Granny” Dawson, a “probie” who’s cutting his teeth as the Evidence Custodian’s assistant, all the while itching to work his way up the ranks to field agent.
Additionally, Caleb Martin Foote (Made for Love) will fill the recurring guest star role of Special Agent Benjamin “Randy” Randolf, the agency’s all-too-lovable “golden boy.” Tasked with showing the newly minted Agent Gibbs the ropes, this father of young twins is thankfully practiced in patience.
Ordered to series in January, NCIS: Origins will be set in the early ’90s and follow a young version of Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new agent at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office. The show will chronicle Gibbs’ early career as he forges his own path on a team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks (to be played by SIX‘s Kyle Schmid).
Besides Stowell and Schmid, series regulars include Mariel Molino (Promised Land) as Special Agent Lala Domingue, Diany Rodriguez (The Blacklist) as Special Agent Vera Strickland (a role originated by Nip/Tuck‘s Roma Maffia in the Season 11 NCIS installment “Under the Radar”), and Tyla Abercrumbie (The Chi) as Field Operation Support Officer Mary Jo Sullivan, a “mama bear” who has wryly dubbed herself “HSIC” — Head Secretary in Charge.
Mark Harmon will not appear in the series, but he will serve as its narrator as well as executive producer. His son, Sean Harmon, who has played Young Gibbs in NCIS flashbacks and came up with the idea for the prequel, will also serve as an EP, alongside co-showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North.
Want scoop on NCIS: Origins, or for any other NCIS show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line!
I would much rather have NCIS Hawaii renewed than this show
they still need to find a niche for the character of Ducky who should be played by the young actor who was in the flashback episodes.
Yes, they still need to cast Ducky and Dr. Magnus, his predecessor as Chief Medical Examiner.
I’ve loved Adam Campbell since those spoof movies he did back in the day and think he should come back as Ducky!
Remember this series takes place at Camp Pendleton, California. Ducky is in Washington DC, so the best we could get is a rare guest appearance by the character.
Yep, best to temper expectations now.
I sincerely hope that this new show is not going to come at the cost of NCIS: Hawaii. They have already dropped a great show in LA. I would prefer the series go forward and not back
Agreed. I’m not really interested in a prequel series, although the addition of Robert Taylor could change my mind.
The Robert Taylor casting makes me happy, happy, happy.
Love, love, love Robert Taylor. He’s a busy Aussie actor who they were lucky to get. Excellent casting! This peaks my interest even more.
does this mean he is leaving ‘newsreader’?
Upcoming 3rd season which already was filmed is thought to be the last
good and sad news there, about ‘newsreader’.
This is good casting.
Will they cast Pacci? He was a contemporary of Gibbs also.
I can’t wait t see this show because of Mark Harmon’s involvement! I hope that we get to see him now and then as he narrates.
Not to start continuity problems already, but Gibbs and his father had a falling out after the funeral of Shannon and his daughter and did not speak for 15 years, so I’m not sure how Jackson could be a recurring character in Origins… I’m just sayin’
That was also my first thought. Guess we’ll see how they spin it.
I guess they could do flashbacks. But yeah, the funeral began an estrangement for father and son. Although I don’t think it was ever said that they NEVER saw each other, or talked to each other, just Gibbs had not been back to his hometown. And things were very tense when they met up again in Season 6. But for the vast amount of time, that we saw Gibbs in, there was no relationship. So, I guess we shall see how they spin it.
Well that leads into my big question. Does this start before or after Shannon and Kelly’s deaths? My guess is after because I thought they died in like 1991, but maybe I’m wrong?
It is supposed to post the deaths. When Gibbs has joined the agency at Pendleton. Of course, casting Jackson could mean anything. Time will tell.
Excellent casting choice
Happy to hear Robert Taylor is joining the cast. I have missed him ever since Longmire and think he is perfectly suited to play Jethro’s dad!
My favorite has been NCIS: New Orleans and you dropped it, damn it
Woo hoo! Now this is an awesome catch!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Can. Not. Wait …
So happy to hear that Robert Taylor will appear in this new show. Love Longmire & love NCIS!!
WIN WIN!
Great choice. Love Robert Taylor!
While interested to see his take on Jackson Gibbs, I am still hoping for a return to Longmire.
Will this series air on CBS or Paramount + ?
Both. CBS and then Paramount the next day for plus subs. Same day for premium subs.
So when I’d the debut of NCIS: Origins
Yes will Mark Harmon be in the New Seies NCIS Europe with Tony and Zeva this summer when does this start and who other people of the Original crew of NCIS will be in the new show ? Can’t wait for it to begin “