Austin Stowell looking surprised as Gibbs in NCIS Origins

A younger version of a huge character will be making their debut in NCIS: Origins season 2. The first prequel in the NCIS franchise revolves around the younger years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with Mark Harmon returning to narrate and executive produce, as Austin Stowell takes over the role on-camera. NCIS: Origins season 2 recently debuted, continuing to explore Gibbs’ journey in the early 1990s.

The prequel also features a younger version of Gibbs’ mentor, Mike Franks, who is played by Kyle Schmid. The coming episodes will likewise welcome back Adam Campbell, reprising his NCIS role as Young Ducky for a special episode that will serve as a tribute to the late actor David McCallum.

Speaking with Matt’s Inside Line, co-showrunner and executive producer David J. North revealed that there will be “one huge character” introduced in season 2 that “everyone will be excited about.” North, who serves as showrunner with Gina Lucita Monreal, cautioned that the team behind the series is still adjusting things depending on whether or not the prequel is renewed:

“We’re still playing with what stories we want to tell and anticipating, if we were to get a season 3, holding things.”

With an NCIS: Origins cast that includes Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, Diany Rodriguez, and Caleb Foote, the spinoff has been largely content to surround Gibbs’ with new characters that were not mentioned in the original series. Lala (played by Molino), for instance, is positioned as a potential love interest for Gibbs. A big mystery relates to why her character is never brought up in the main show.

Cast of NCIS Origins, left to right: Austin Stowell as Gibbs, Kyle Schmid as Franks, Mariel Molino as Lala, Caleb Foote as Randy

Hetty, the NCIS: Los Angeles character played by Linda Hunt, is a popular candidate that fans have wanted to see more of. There are also other potential choices, such as past romantic partners and familiar co-workers. There will likely be more information as the episode involving this mystery character draws nearer. But for the time being, NCIS: Origins has plenty on its plate.

There is the Ducky tribute episode, which will see Ducky get sent to Camp Pendleton. He shadows the team while they work a case. In the process, Ducky also reconnects with Gibbs after the two crossed paths years earlier. There is also a planned crossover with NCIS season 23, both of which give the sense that it will be an eventful season for the prequel.

But for viewers watching NCIS: Origins at least in part to find a connection to the familiar faces they’ve watched over the years, this season will provide some of that. Now the speculation turns to the question of who this huge character might be, and what connection they might have to Gibbs.