Every NCIS Character Returning In Gibbs’ Prequel (& Who Else Can)
The NCIS universe continues to expand via a Leroy Jethro Gibbs prequel series, which will feature familiar faces and potentially a few more.
- NCIS is launching a prequel set in the ’90s, providing an opportunity to explore Gibbs’ early years.
- Mark Harmon will return as the voice-over narrator and a producer of the prequel series.
- Other familiar characters from the main series, such as Jenny Shepard and Tobias Fornell, could potentially appear in the prequel.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ upcoming NCIS prequel will feature some familiar faces and possibly bring back more. CBS’ long-running police procedural will continue to expand, although instead of launching a brand new branch of the famed organization, its next endeavor will look back to its past and establish an integral period for the franchise’s face — Mark Harmon’s Gibbs. Not much has been revealed about the upcoming prequel — after all, it isn’t set to premiere until the 2024-2025 TV season. That said, it is already confirmed to be set during the ’90s while Gibbs’ time was stationed at Camp Pendleton.
This means that the new show has several years’ worth of content before the events of the main NCIS show started. However, since the original police procedural regularly tackled Gibbs’ history, its new offshoot has the chance to bring back younger versions of some of his most notable cohorts. So far, CBS has only confirmed a couple of previously-introduced NCIS characters in the Gibbs series, but considering when and where the narrative is set and what was established about Harmon’s character, there are several other great candidates to join the project either from the get-go or as it progresses.
7, Gibbs – Confirmed
Mark Harmon
The idea for the Gibbs prequel really started with wanting to have Harmon back in NCIS. Despite the few other branches, not to mention Alden Parker taking over the team, the police procedural will always be associated with the actor. Harmon officially exited NCIS in season 19, and despite permanently closing the door on his return, Gibbs’ departure was drama-free. After several decades of dedicating himself to the job, he opted to stay in Alaska and pursue his passion for fishing.
Gibbs’ upcoming NCIS series will not change that. Instead, Harmon will return to provide the voice-over for the prequel, similar to how Jim Parsons does adult Sheldon’s narration in Young Sheldon. Aside from being its narrator, the actor is also a producer of the show, alongside his son, Sean Harmon, who played a younger version of Gibbs in the main series. This time, however, they are casting a brand-new actor to step into the role and play the character during the ’90s.
6, Jenny Sheppard – Possible
Lauren Holly
After the devastating murder of Gibbs’ wife and daughter, he attempted to move on by getting married several more times and engaging in an affair with several women over the years. Early on in NCIS, he was reunited with his former teammate, Jenny Shepard, who served as the director of NCIS between seasons three and five, replacing Thomas Morrow. Gibbs and Shepard were previously stationed in Europe for a job but also used the time to be in a relationship. Brief flashbacks of their mission and tryst were incorporated into NCIS‘ storytelling, but it was never fully explored.
5, Tobias Fornell – Possible
Joe Spano
Gibbs tends to keep to himself, opting to maintain a close circle of trusted allies, which includes Tobias Fornell. Unlike many of his other cohorts, Fornell didn’t work under NCIS, instead being a Senior FBI Special Agent when he was introduced in the premiere. The pair’s relationship dates all the way back to before the police procedural started; unfortunately, not much has been revealed about their friendship prior to their regular brief encounters in NCIS
4, Mike Franks – Confirmed
Muse Watson
The Gibbs NCIS prequel will assemble an entirely new squad around Harmon’s character, and this time, he won’t be the boss. Instead, it will tackle his time being the partner and mentee of Special Agent-in-Charge Mike Mike Franks. Introduced in NCIS season 3, Franks was brought in by Shepard in the hopes that seeing him will help Gibbs regain his memory. Franks retired just about half a decade since Gibbs started his stint on NCIS, effectively setting a limit to his involvement in the offshoot.
That being said, expect that he will be a prominent player during the procedural’s earliest years. Many of Gibbs’ signature antics, including the head slap, came from Franks. Between working on several cases together as partners in crime, the new NCIS prequel could also devote time to establishing the pair’s relationship, especially considering how Franks shaped what became of Gibbs as a team leader — so much so that he continued to appear in his figment of imagination, offering advice.
3, Ducky Mallard – Possible
David McCallum
When NCIS premiered in 2003, Gibbs’ core team was already assembled, with the pilot introducing Kate Todd from being part of the Secret Service — the final member of the original cast. That being said, Harmon’s character has had the longest history with Ducky Mallard. The pair became friends in the ’80s, as subsequently revealed in the main NCIS. Considering the time frame of the upcoming police procedural prequel, it can definitely bring in young Ducky to pair up with young Gibbs.
Young Ducky’s possible appearance will further tie the fresh series to NCIS. While it can bring in the quirky medical examiner any time throughout its run, it will be particularly special to see him reunite with young Gibbs as soon as possible, as it can be the prequel’s way of honoring Ducky’s memory, in light of David McCallum’s recent death. Harmon paying tribute to him via a voice-over will be the best thing the Gibbs prequel can do to pay tribute to its character’s lifelong friend.
2, Vera Strickland – Confirmed
Roma Maffia
Aside from Franks, Vera Strickland is also confirmed to return in the upcoming NCIS Gibbs prequel. She was the former partner of Franks and was introduced in season 11 of the main series. She appeared only once, leaving creative wiggle room for CBS on how to handle her character in the new spinoff. How she will be related to Gibbs is currently uncertain, but they will likely be tied together thanks to their common colleague, Franks.
1, Tony DiNozzo – Possible
Michael Weatherly
There may not be a proper DiNozzo and Gibbs reunion in the main NCIS, but the prequel can properly show how their relationship started. Granted that it wasn’t until 2001 when Gibbs decided to recruit the young DiNozzo to NCIS, but depending on how CBS handles its storytelling, they can find a way to tackle this particular plot line. Aside from a compelling narrative, it also touches on an important moment in NCIS‘ history.
