Ever since the NCIS: Origins showrunners and executive producers David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal announced the NCIS x NCIS: Origins crossover — one we never saw coming — fans have been waiting to hear more.
One surprise character has already been revealed: after four years, Mark Harmon is returning as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, not just as a narrator, but fully back on screen. Fans have been waiting and hoping for this moment for so long. But Harmon is not the only surprise the showrunners have in store for us.
Another NCIS character makes a return after over a decade
Fans are already familiar with the young version of NIS Agent Vera Strickland from NCIS: Origins, but they may have forgotten all about her older version from the original NCIS — understandably so. The last time we saw Vera on NCIS was in 2013, during season 11 episode 3, "Under the Radar", where she briefly worked with Gibbs and McGee.
Roma Maffia, who originally played Strickland, makes a return as a retired NCIS agent. Could Vera be connected to Gibbs in the present day? The showrunners were mum on details about Harmon and Maffia's return, but they did tell TV Insider "We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say Gibbs is no longer alone."
One thing is certain: we'll see Vera as part of both the world of 1992 and that of the present day. Unlike her, Harmon will appear as older Agent Gibbs only in the NCIS: Origins episode. Sadly, there won't be a reunion with the NCIS cast.
NCIS and NCIS: Origins change time slots to help the narrative flow
The Veterans Day special episodes mark a change in the CBS schedule. NCIS: Origins will air on Nov. 11 at 8/7c, in NCIS's usual time slot. NCIS: Origins season 2 episode 5, "Funny How Time Slips Away", introduces the case of a naval officer's mysterious death that has the team travelling all the way to Serenity, California, in search of answers. Things aren't made easier by the secretive locals and the uncooperative sheriff.
This case will span decades, as NCIS season 23 episode 5, "Now and Then", makes clear. An inmate breaks free from prison only three weeks before his release. That drives the team to reopen the '90s NIS case originally investigated by Gibbs and Franks. The team also seeks out Vera Strickland's help, and the case's conclusion promises a fascinating side story involving a Navy time capsule.
Whatever is inside that capsule and how the case concludes will be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, on CBS and available to stream on Paramount+.
NCIS and NCIS: Origins air on Tuesdays on CBS.
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