We're getting more Gibbs! CBS has increased the episode count for NCIS: Origins

NCIS: Origins fans make some noise! The prequel series, which tells the story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs' time in the NIS from the beginning, has found its audience to the tune of an average of 6.2 million viewers (with Live+7 playback) watching the procedural from week-to-week. Per TVLine, it's the third most watched freshman series on broadcast. So, of course, CBS has decided to invest more in the show.

Deadline reports that five more episodes have been added to the prequel's order, bringing the count up from 13 to 18. It's a move we're definitely thankful for as each episode of NCIS: Origins has gotten better and better. Monday, Nov. 4 brought us "Last Rites," an hour of television that dived into a case that haunted Mike Franks and teased us about the profile he had Vera Strickland make on a mysterious man in the premiere. But, what we're holding out for is episode 10, "Blue Bayou," set to premiere on Dec. 16.

The show's first Christmas episode will rewind the clock back and fill us in on how Gibbs came to be an NIS agent. There's a lot of lore around this beloved character and it's clear the younger version of him, along with the story being told, has captured the attention of millions of people. It's no wonder CBS has given the series a full episode order.

What could be in store for us as we move further into the season? Well, we need to know who Mike had profiled. Was it Pedro Hernandez, the man responsible for the deaths of Gibbs' wife and daughter? Fans have said the agent's confrontation with him happened prior to his involvement with the NIS but perhaps NCIS: Origins is going to establish that's not the case.

There's also the mystery around why Gibbs is telling this story that he's never told before. It has to do with Lala Dominguez, his fellow NIS member who's steadily becoming his friend and who is protective of his mental well-being. Plus, more episodes gives us more opportunity to learn about the show's supporting characters like Mary Jo Sullivan and Strickland.

If the prequel keeps on this trajectory, we could be looking at a season renewal. A full season order is a good sign of faith in the show from CBS, particularly with President of CBS Entertainment Amy Reisenbach's statement about the increased episode count for the series (and 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+."

Fingers crossed the network gives us the gift of a second season sooner rather than later. Stay tuned to Americans Undercover for more NCIS franchise coverage and follow us on X!