Uncovering Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ Past: A Deep Dive into NCIS: Origins

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For nearly two decades, the military crime drama known as NCIS has been a staple on CBS, maintaining its popularity and attracting both old and new viewers. Remarkably, this show’s success has spawned numerous location-based spin-offs, such as NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i, and NCIS: Sydney. However, the Fall 2024 season introduced a fresh twist to the franchise – NCIS: Origins. This series delves into the early career of beloved character Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a storyline many thought had come to an end.

For 18 years, Mark Harmon played Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the Supervisory Special Agent in Charge at NCIS, on the TV show NCIS. In 2021, he relinquished his famous role but continued as an executive producer for the series. The leadership position was then passed to Agent Alden Parker (played by Gary Cole). Thankfully, Gibbs’ character wasn’t killed off but was said to be embarking on a new journey in Alaska, providing some solace to longtime fans that Gibbs still exists within the NCIS universe. However, what makes his character significant enough for its own spin-off? And how much more of his story remains untold after nearly two decades on air? Surprisingly, quite a bit.

Who is Leroy Jethro Gibbs?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a former U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper, now serving as a special agent for NCIS. Throughout the series, he has been leading his team with both firmness and kindness, offering advice and camaraderie to team members such as Field Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), Special Agent Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), and Forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) and many others. Known for his stoicism, Gibbs is recognized by a collection of fifty personal guidelines he adheres to, as well as a history of broken marriages and relationships due to his secretive nature and reluctance to share his feelings with others.

The most significant aspect of Gibbs’ character history, which adds depth to him, is the tragic loss of his first wife, Shannon, and their daughter, Kelly, that took place prior to his time at NCIS. This event significantly influenced many of his traits, including his life principles, which were shaped by Shannon. Although viewers spent nearly two decades with Gibbs and occasional glimpses into his past, much of his story remained shrouded in mystery. Now, with NCIS: Origins, this mystery is finally being unraveled.

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In a fresh twist, the spin-off titled “NCIS: Origins” rejuvenates the character of Leroy Jethro Gibbs by transporting him back in time to 1991, following the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. This series centers around a younger Gibbs as he embarks on his career with the Naval Investigative Service, serving at Camp Pendleton. Mark Harmon and his son Sean Harmon, who briefly appeared as Gibbs in flashbacks on “NCIS“, serve as executive producers. Additionally, Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North, long-time contributors to the original series, are also involved in the production as showrunners.

As the creative mind behind “Origins”, I’ve been deeply connected to the character of Gibbs for two decades, witnessing my father breathe life into the role and even getting the chance to portray young Gibbs myself. The allure of his backstory has always intrigued me, leading me to feel a profound excitement about delving into his earlier years and unveiling an unexplored facet of this cherished character. Yet, filling the shoes left by Mark Harmon, who embodied Gibbs so brilliantly, is no small task. Nonetheless, I am eager to bring this story to life and share a fresh perspective on this beloved character.

Who Plays the Young Gibbs?

Austin Stowell has been chosen to star in the lead role of “NCIS: Origins,” tasked with stepping into the shoes of a cherished character, often associated with another actor. Starting his TV career in 2009 on “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” Stowell rapidly expanded his repertoire, landing significant roles across both television and film. His performances in films like “Whiplash” (2014) and Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies” (2015), as well as his portrayal of a Special Forces soldier in “12 Strong” (2018), may have equipped him with the skills needed to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

In a departure from the original NCIS series, NCIS: Origins adopts a more somber tone. Actor Stowell recognizes that the emotional turmoil his character experiences due to losing his family forms a crucial aspect of his acting. During an interview with Variety, he expressed, “The sorrow he’s enduring isn’t something that can be ignored. As an actor, I’m someone who deeply feels everything.” He elaborated on what drew him to the role: “There were numerous similarities to my personal life – struggles with suicide, a father-son bond, feelings of inadequacy. It just seems fitting.” Fortunately for Stowell, he can rely on Mark Harmon, who plays an active part in the series by narrating and helping ensure that his portrayal of Gibbs aligns with the character audiences have grown accustomed to over time.

‘NCIS: Origins’ Brings Back More Familiar Characters

Apart from delving deeper into Leroy Jethro Gibbs‘ private history, NCIS: Origins has additionally resurrected some well-known characters, offering insights into past connections with Gibbs that were seen in the original series. One such character is Mike Franks, who served as a mentor to Gibbs and played a crucial role in his transformation into an NCIS Agent. He frequently assisted on cases as well.

Previously portrayed by Muse Watson, Kyle Schmid now assumes the role in NCIS: Origins, leading the Camp Pendleton Field Office. The initial encounter between Frank and Gibbs is delved into, focusing on the tragic deaths of Gibbs’ wife and daughter. A significant aspect of Origins lies in uncovering how their relationship evolved into what it ultimately became. Additionally, viewers will get to know Frank’s partner Special Agent Vera Strickland, who debuted in NCIS Season 11 and was initially played by Roma Maffia before being taken over by Diana Rodriguez. Moreover, NCIS: Origins aims to address a long-standing question among fans by shedding light on the history between Gibbs and FBI Agent Tobias Fornell, who was previously portrayed by Joe Spano but is now played by Lucas Dixon.

In the spin-off series, NCIS: Origins, Robert Taylor portrays Jackson Gibbs, who was previously played by Ralph Waite as Gibbs’ father. On NCIS, it was shown that Jethro had a strained relationship with his dad, and they hadn’t been in touch since the funerals of his wife and daughter. In order to incorporate this important aspect into the storyline on Origins, the writers needed to find a way to include the character without contradicting the established facts from the original show. Fortunately, the Gibbs family’s personalities make it plausible that Jethro may have been less than truthful about his past interactions with his father. The tense relationship between them serves as an effective means of illustrating how Jethro evolved into the tough character we came to know and appreciate on NCIS.

In NCIS: Origins, there’s a wealth of material to delve into regarding Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ past – his connection with his father, the loss of his family, and his new role under Mike Franks at Camp Pendleton are just the beginning. This prequel series also promises unexpected twists and turns that will catch viewers off guard. By introducing fresh characters influencing Gibbs’ choices, uncovering hidden truths, and examining past events not previously known, NCIS: Origins adds depth to the narrative. Essentially, it offers a glimpse into one of the most enigmatic characters in the NCIS universe, leaving fans eager to unravel the mystery of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The series has already been renewed for Season 2.

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2025-02-09 00:32