This story contains details from the two-part premiere ofNCIS: Originson CBS.
North, as well as CBS Studios.
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GINA LUCITA MONREALI think it varies, but our hardcore fans know a lot.
Austin Stowell as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in ‘NCIS: Origins’Greg Gayne/CBS ©2024
Were trying to strike a balance between those hardcore fans and hopefully new fans who know nothing.
Thats the line were walking.
DEADLINE Do they know he failed his psych evaluation?
DAVID J. NORTHNo, we just made that up.
Were making this shit up.
DEADLINE Thats what a writer should do.
Did they meet his dad?
NORTHThey did meet his dad on the OG show.
His dad was played by the wonderful Ralph Waite, who passed away during the length of that series.
So we have Robert Taylor playing the younger version of him.
DEADLINE Did you shoot at Pendleton?
We spoke about it at one point.
We did go down there.
We shot in San Pedro to match Pendleton.
DEADLINE Why is it just NIS?
MONREALBefore it became NCIS, it was NIS.
There was a restructuring that happened in 1992 and thats when they changed the name.
So it helps us really, even in just saying this is a different time and place.
Well play that restructuring within the scope of our show.
He obviously doesnt fit the classic mold of these investigators.
MONREALThats a good question were going to answer.
NORTHWe know him to be a gifted mentor.
We know that he was a bit of a rule breaker.
The younger version in our show is very different than the older retired guy in the original.
Frank is blunt, he says it like it is.
DEADLINESo we see Mark Harmons Leroy Gibbs journaling in the premiere!
Did we know he journaled?
MONREALWell, we knew that he brought a journal to Alaska.
He decides that he has found peace there.
One of the things was a journal because hes going to be in solitude.
That worked out very well for us here at Origins.
So its really fun to see him be able to continue that story with our new show.
What did he mean by that?
NORTHGibbs joined the Marines at 18 and was a sniper his entire life.
He was defending his country by hunting the enemy.
He was a killer.
Thats how Jackson sees his son as, sadly.
He did not see him as someone who has the patience to do these investigations.
I think any father/son relationship is complex and fathers dont always see everything thats there with your son.
Thats a really tough moment.
MONREALJackson, too, is a military man.
Weve established in the original show that he flew planes in the army and the war.
So I think it is really ingrained in who this family is, being in the military.
So for him to see Gibbs make this shift sort of unannounced, is jarring for Jackson.
DEADLINE When Gibbs said the phrase old habits, it literally sounded like Mark Harmon.
You didnt have Mark do a voiceover, did you?
MONREALAustin does say it.
I think his research and his dedication to this role is really evident.
NORTHWe definitely will find the humor, but the tone of this show is largely darker.
DEADLINE Will there be a serialized aspect to this?
NORTHIt is largely serialized.
DEADLINE Is Mark super precious about this character or is he giving you a wide berth?
He cares so much, but it is a really interesting thing.
He is Gibbs and obviously Mark infused so much of himself into Gibbs over the years.
But he really trusts me and Gina.
He wants us to see our vision through.
DEADLINE How would you describe the NCIS fans?
Are they going to keep you on your toes or do you think theyll cut you a break?
MONREALOh, they wont cut us a break and I dont want them to, either.
We love and respect our fans and we want to do this justice for them.
Were so excited for them to see it.
NORTHForensics takes a long time.
Even fingerprints can take six months to run.
DEADLINE Will we see Mark sitting fireside again, writing in his journal?
Or will you put him someplace else?
DEADLINE Young Gibbs is a handsome man.
NORTHI think you said it.
