NCIS: Origins has earned a full season order. The CBS series is the newest show in the NCIS shared universe, Origins is a crime procedural prequel series set in the 1991 that follows a younger version of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played onscreen by Austin Stowell and via voiceover narration by original Gibbs star Mark Harmon) as he works to establish himself at the Camp Pendleton office after the deaths of his wife and child. The ensemble cast of the show also includes Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Diany Rodriguez.
Per Deadline, CBS has now officially given NCIS: Origins a full season order after airing just five episodes beginning with a two-episode premiere on October 14. This means that, on top of the 13 episodes that were originally ordered for season 1 of the prequel series, it will have an additional five episodes, bringing it to a total of 18 and extending its run further into 2025. Below, read a statement from CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach about the full season order, which was announced at the same time as the full order for the Damon Wayans sitcom Poppa’s House.
NCIS: Origins has added a brilliant new dimension to the NCIS franchise with an origin story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and a cinematic ’90s experience that features distinct characters, stories and crime solving. Poppa’s House excels with the dynamic father/son chemistry between Damon [Wayans] and Damon Jr. and their family-inspired stories that bring this comedy to life. These shows fit seamlessly into our Monday night lineup while resonating with viewers on CBS and Paramount+
What This Means For NCIS: Origins
The Show Is Drawing In Viewers
The fact that the NCIS: Origins cast will be returning seems to reveal that the show has been drawing in strong viewership in its freshman season. However, CBS deliberated slightly longer on the full season order for the show as well as Poppa’s House. The dual announcement was made after CBS’ other new scripted series Matlock (a Kathy Bates-led legal drama reboot) and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (a sequel to the Big Bang Theory prequel Young Sheldon) were already given full orders.
However, the fact that the show has only been running for four weeks at the time of writing shows that this delay may not ultimately be consequential. It remains to be seen if CBS’ vote of confidence in season 1 results in the eventual renewal of NCIS: Origins season 2, but so far the show’s prospects are looking good. Its future will likely only be cast into doubt if the ratings take a severe dip in the coming weeks.
Our Take On The NCIS: Origins Renewal
The Franchise Is Expanding Effectively
The fact that this full season order has come relatively swiftly seems to show that NCIS: Origins is expanding the franchise effectively, without losing the core viewership. The prequel is just one of the new shows in the universe, which also has a Tony and Ziva spinoff in development. CBS is unafraid to cancel spinoffs, as New Orleans ended in 2021, followed by Los Angeles in 2023 and Hawai’i in 2024, so considering the fact that it is just one cog in the universe’s future, the new show’s longevity was never a guarantee.
NCIS: Origins season 1 airs on CBS on Mondays at 10:00 p.m. ET and PT.