“NCIS: Origins” closed its second season by changing the course of the franchise’s history, and the CBS prequel will return with another major change.
The season 2 finale officially depicted the transformation of the Naval Investigative Service into the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, marking a pivotal moment in the timeline that connects the prequel to the flagship “NCIS” series.
According to Deadline, CBS has confirmed that “NCIS: Origins” will return for season 3, but with a noticeably shorter episode order as the network expands its growing “NCIS” universe.
‘NCIS: Origins’ Finale Officially Brings NCIS to Life
The season 2 finale recreated one of the most significant moments in franchise history.
Throughout the first two seasons, the series followed a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, during his early years with the Naval Investigative Service, the organization that eventually became NCIS.
In the finale, Special Agent-in-Charge Cliff Wheeler, played by Patrick Fischler, led an effort to rebrand the agency after reports of misconduct involving military personnel threatened its future.
Working alongside the Camp Pendleton office, Vera Strickland, played by Diany Rodriguez, helped develop the proposal that ultimately changed the agency’s name from NIS to NCIS, placing a stronger emphasis on criminal investigations.
The fictional storyline mirrors the real-life restructuring that created NCIS in 1992.
The finale also introduced another familiar figure from the flagship series.
After Admiral Jacob Cane was removed as director, the Secretary of the Navy appointed Tom Morrow to lead the newly renamed agency. Longtime “NCIS” viewers will recognize Morrow as the first director to oversee Gibbs during the original series.
The episode also advanced the long-awaited relationship between Gibbs and Special Agent Lala Dominguez, played by Mariel Molino, setting up another key storyline for season 3.
CBS Announces Shorter ‘NCIS: Origins’ Season 3
Although CBS has renewed “NCIS: Origins,” the third season will be significantly shorter than its first two installments.
Both season 1 and season 2 consisted of 18 episodes.
Season 3, however, has received an order for just 10 episodes.
The reduced episode count comes as CBS prepares to expand the franchise with another new series.
“NCIS: New York,” starring LL Cool J and Scott Caan, is set to join the network’s lineup, creating another chapter in the long-running procedural universe.
While CBS has not explained the shorter order, the adjustment makes room for the network’s expanding slate of “NCIS” programming during the 2026-27 television season.
Austin Stowell Continues Gibbs’ Early Story
Since premiering, “NCIS: Origins” has explored the early career of Gibbs decades before Mark Harmon introduced the character in the flagship drama.
Harmon portrayed Gibbs for 19 seasons before departing the original series.
Stowell has since stepped into the role, portraying a younger version of the fan-favorite investigator as he begins building the career that eventually made him one of television’s most recognizable agents.
The finale’s official creation of NCIS also strengthens the connection between the prequel and the original series, bringing the timeline closer to the version of the agency longtime viewers know.
Although season 3 will feature fewer episodes, the finale set up several major storylines, including Gibbs’ evolving relationship with Dominguez and the ongoing development of the newly formed NCIS under Director Tom Morrow.
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VERY UNHAPPY about the cut down season. Sounds like CBS is planning a slow death for the show. Well I quit watching NCIS LA after 2 years because it was NOT NCIS, it was more of a Special Ops show. With LL coming back, Im sure thats what it will be all over again. Except they will be spraying machine gun fre in NY rather than L.A. Ill try it, but doubt Ill keep watching. Origins has become my favorite!
Actually I am surprised it has been renewed for Season 3 – I lost interest about mid way through season one as the continued the melodramatic flashbacks and background banter from Gibbs ad nauseum of Gibbs loss instead of solving crimes went on far too long – 2 episodes would have been plenty – I removed season two from my watch list but continue to enjoy NCIS Sydney as light weight entertainment and NCIS as a continuing drama now that the ludicrous romantic loop of Dr Nerd and Kick ass agent Jessica Knight has ended and seems to be moving towards a Nick and Jessica coupling ala Tony and Ziva of years gone by
I had no interest in watching it!
I wasn’t initially hot on Origin’s, but I eventually warmed up to it. Mostly because of the Individual actors brought some character to the Series. I was able to set aside my expectations versus the different actors that brought some depth of their own beyond the Original NCIS series.
I think there will be some fan base loss with the reduced number of episodes.
I remember watching a series or two that ended suddenly when they became invested in the Series while the Producers lost interest. I for one will feel that the Producers have decided to “cut it short” so why would I spend my time on a series that will be “half baked” just to fufill their Network obligations. Is it worth it because of the “John Doe” scenario.
fwvorite show, dont shorten it
Have no interest in watching Scott Caan as another sidekick in a crime drama. The NCIS franchise has had enough interesting characters who could serve that role without resorting to a 5-0 retread.