NCIS Cast Returns and Shocking New Projects: 3 Things to Know

TV prequels are rising in popularity, giving fans an inside look at beloved characters before they became legends, and the NCIS franchise is leading the charge with its latest entry, NCIS: Origins. This new series dives into the early career of a young Gibbs, capturing the aftermath of his family tragedy while sprinkling in surprising cameos — like a young Fornell — that have viewers excited and speculating about more familiar faces appearing onscreen down the line. While Mark Harmon, the iconic Gibbs, hasn’t returned to Origins, he remains closely involved as the narrator and producer, while guiding franchise newcomer Austin Stowell, who takes over the title role.

Meanwhile, fans are curious about who might return to the flagship series or its spinoffs, with stars like Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo confirmed for a new Tony & Ziva project, while others, such as Pauley Perrette and Emily Wickersham, have shut the door on a comeback. With these ongoing comebacks, career moves and secret character appearances, the NCIS universe shows no signs of slowing down, keeping viewers on their toes for what’s next.

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists from Us Weekly.