NCIS: Origins cast guide: Meet the newest NCIS franchise additions

NCIS: Origins is about to premiere, here's a look at who's who in the newest NCIS spinoff!

A new NCIS show is always a big deal for fans of the franchise. The fanbase is still smarting from the unexpected cancellation of NCIS: Hawaii after three seasons, with NCIS: Sydney returning for season 2. Much bigger is NCIS: Origins, which has already been nicknamed "Young Gibbs" with Mark Harmon returning as Jethro Gibbs but only as narrator.

The series is set in 1991 when Gibbs was still a young agent and NCIS itself was just coming to be. The show will have the agents trying to do their jobs without the modern tech of the Internet, cell phones and more, and compellingly addressing a far different culture. 

It looks like an intriguing prequel series so here's a quick look at the cast:

Leeroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell)

This is a much different Gibbs than the one fans know. He's mourning his late wife and daughter, still rather reckless in the field and hasn't quite made up his list of rules just yet. Seeing how he develops into the Gibbs we know and love will be the core of the series and make for an intriguing watch.

While Harmon will narrate as the older Gibbs, Austin Stowell plays the younger version, having appeared in Whiplash and The Hating Game and looks ready for the challenge of bringing a new version of the iconic character to life. 

Special Agent Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino)

A former member of the Marines, Lala has joined NCIS and faces the challenge that in the early 1990s, a woman in a male-dominated field was often ignored. Thus, Lala will have to work harder to prove herself and earn respect to show she's more than just the team's "errand girl".

Dominguez has under her belt some short-lived shows like The Promised Land and The Watchful Eye and looks to bring a fun young presence to the series. 

Special Agent Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid)

Fans loved Mike Franks, the retired boss who still treated Gibbs like a "probie"." He'll naturally be a big part of the prequel series and it'll be fun seeing Franks, already a grizzled veteran who likes Gibbs but takes a hard line in teaching him the ropes. It should be a turn on the older dynamic and seeing Gibbs being bossed around will be a departure.

Taking on the role, Kyle Schmid is a veteran actor with credits including Being Human, Six, Big Sky and films like A History of Violence. That gives him the clout to bring Franks to life and put his own stamp on the fan-favorite character.

Special Agent Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez)

Fans remember Vera Strickland, played by Roma Maffia, as a no-nonsense agent who seemed to have an interesting past with Gibbs. The version we meet here is younger but still has that tough attitude, working with Franks and clashing a bit with Gibbs. 

Diany Rodriguez has experience with the franchise, having guest-starred on NCIS: New Orleans. She's also had prime roles on The Outsiders and The Blacklist and just came off a turn in Twisted Metal. Not to mention she has a good resemblance to Maffia and seems set to delve more into the popular character.

Officer Mary Jo Sullivan (Tyla Abercrumbie)

With the title of "Field Operation Support Officer," Mary Jo Sullivan describes herself as "Head Secretary in Charge." She's described as the "mamma bear" of the team and seems to fill the Ducky role of the veteran giving advice to others. While not a full agent, Sullivan has plenty of connections to help the team get information and is their secret weapon in cracking cases while preferring to be under the radar with their bosses. 

Tyla Abercrumbie is known for her turns in The Chi and Shrink and has the fun, sassy attitude to make the character likely to break out and become just as beloved for fans as Ducky was.

Jackson Gibbs (Robert Taylor)

The series producers promise to answer the apparent continuity error in how Gibbs' father shows up when the main series said the pair hadn't talked in decades. Robert Taylor, who starred in Longmire, will take over the role (played on the main series by the late Ralph Waite) in a recurring turn that promises to delve more into this very complex father-son relationship. 

Cliff Walker (Patrick Fischler)

The head of the NCIS Pendleton office, Cliff Walker looks to be a tough boss who may not be ready for the changes of the 1990s and Gibbs' tough attitude. Having appeared in NCIS: Hawaii, Patrick Fischler, who's also starred in Lost and Mad Men, takes on the role of the team boss. 

Special Agent Granville "Granny" Dawson" (Daniel Bellomy)

A young agent who handles evidence and records, "Granny" likely gets ribbing on his name as he tries to rise up in the ranks. Daniel Bellomy takes on the role after minor roles in FBI: international and Blue Bloods, among other series.

Special Agent Benjamin "Randy" Randolph (Caleb Martin Foote)

The "golden boy" of the office, Randy starts off showing Gibbs the ropes and it's quite likely that he's going to act like Gibbs is a lackey only to be shown up by him. Foote is known for turns in American Horror Story and other shows that should play on how he thinks he's the hero of a different show. 

Chief Medical Examiner Kai Blackrock (Julian Black Antelope)

The M.E. for the team, Kai fills the always-reliable role of the coroner, but there's the touch in how he lacks the technology of a modern NCIS show and so the morgue scenes won't be quite as spotless as fans are used to. Julian Black Antelope is known for Western shows like Tribal to make the role notable. 

Woodrow "Woody" Browne (Bobby Moynihan)

The comic relief of the show, Woody is the director of the forensics lab which, again, won't be as high-tech as the one of current NCIS shows. Bobby Moynihan is known for his long stint on Saturday Night Live, proving he's got the comedic chops to make this small role a breakout one and add some levity to the plot. 

Dr. Lenora Friedman (Lori Petty)

A seasoned pathologist for the San Diego Medical Examiner's office, Lenora will appear in a recurring turn aiding the team. Lori Petty has been a veteran movie and TV star with top credits such as A League of Their Own, Orange Is the New Black, Station Eleven and many more. She's going to be just a minor recurring role but bring some unique star power to the series.

NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, Oct. 14 at 9/8c on CBS.