NCIS: Origins has already introduced us to the younger versions of Diane Sterling and Doctor Donald “Ducky” Mallard. Now there is word that a character from one of the spinoffs is being cast. Who will be the next younger version of a previously loved character to appear on the prequel series?
TV Insider revealed that Scott Bakula’s Dwayne Pride would be joining the NCIS: Origins cast for a later episode in the second season. Pride was first introduced in 2014 for the back door pilot for NCIS: New Orleans, which aired for seven seasons before ending in 2021.
Pride and Gibbs were shown to have a close bond, although that was apparently not always the case. So far, we do know that at this point on NCIS: Origins, Pride is a probationary agent at NIS, where he works for the Panama office. He will be working with Gibbs on an undercover assignment when we first meet him.
According to the showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North, “One of the special things about NCIS: Origins is being able to explore the early days of so many beloved characters of the franchise.”
At the time audiences were introduced to Pride, we learned that Gibbs had known him for 30 years, meaning he met his old friend and former colleague in the ‘80’s. They had worked together alongside other agents known as the Fed Five, so this could come to play in later episodes.
Since the team worked together until 1994 and the show is currently set in 1992, we might even see the investigation that would later be dealt with in the backdoor pilot from 2014.
For now, it will be fun to learn how Gibbs and Pride went from having some sort of tension in the past to becoming as close as brothers in the future. While it’s unclear when the casting will be announced or when the younger version of Pride will make his debut in NCIS: Origins, fans are excited to learn more about the younger years of Gibbs and another previously known character from the overall NCIS franchise.
It has been so cool getting to see the origin story of so many of our favorites, although there is a likelihood some characters would not make sense given when Gibbs would have crossed paths with them. However, it’s fun to see how they are incorporated into the prequel series.