The popular prequel series NCIS: Origins has been successfully navigating its way through the established canon of the NCIS franchise, and recent casting news takes fans even deeper into the past. Deadline reports that Shea Buckner, known for his role in Only Murders in the Building Season 5, has been chosen to portray a younger version of Dwayne Pride, the character made famous by Scott Bakula in NCIS: New Orleans. This setting takes place during the early ’90s when Pride, a former Sheriff’s Deputy and a Probationary Special Agent, is seen working with a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Buckner’s portrayal will be part of an episode slated for Season 2 of Origins, showcasing an undercover operation that brings Pride and Gibbs together as they navigate their previous differences. Viewers are also promised appearances from other pivotal characters in this foundational stage of the story, enhancing the storyline’s depth by reintroducing key figures from NCIS history.
As the narrative progresses, showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North plan to delve into the “Fed 5” task force, which consists of Gibbs, Pride, and other characters who played a crucial role until 1994 while pursuing the Privileged Killer. Notably, characters Dan McLane and Felix Betts will join the mix, with CBS currently seeking actors to portray these roles. McLane, described as authoritative and confident, will lead the group alongside Betts, a paperwork expert from the Los Angeles NIS office.
This forthcoming storyline promises to be thrilling as it will explore the formation of the Fed 5 while tackling a stolen weapons ring. Although these characters are currently signed for just one episode, the possibility remains for their return in future storylines, which could further enrich the unfolding narrative of NCIS: Origins.
As fans anticipate the upcoming season, this development reinforces the show’s commitment to intertwining its characters’ rich histories with fresh story arcs. With the nostalgic return of beloved figures and the introduction of new dynamics, NCIS: Origins continues to build excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.