AceShowbiz - NCIS: Origins stands out as the highest-rated spin-off within the long-running NCIS franchise, recently breaking into Paramount+’s top ten most-watched shows. The series, which premiered in October 2024, dives into the early career of the franchise’s iconic character Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, exploring his formative years at the Naval Investigative Service (NIS).

The NCIS universe has enjoyed more than two decades on television, growing to include six spin-offs over the years. While several of those offshoots have ended or been cancelled, NCIS: Origins has carved a unique place in the franchise by focusing on a young Gibbs’ backstory. The show also features Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks, Gibbs’ mentor and leader during this earlier period.

NCIS: Origins has been praised for its storytelling, achieving an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated entry among NCIS spin-offs. Unlike other series that investigate different geographic locations or characters, this show rewinds time to reveal unknown aspects of Gibbs’ life and career. It introduces new characters alongside younger versions of familiar faces from the flagship NCIS series, adding depth to the franchise’s mythology.

The series expertly blends procedural crime drama with serialized storytelling, a hybrid format that suits the streaming era and modern broadcast TV demands. This approach has resonated with audiences, helping the show secure a place within the top ten on Paramount+. According to FlixPatrol data, NCIS: Origins currently holds the 10th position in viewership rankings.

The show airs on CBS every Tuesday at 9 pm and is also available to stream on Paramount+. The latest episode, titled “Lean on Me” (Season 2, Episode 10), aired on March 10, 2026. It centers around a tense biological threat scenario: a marine captain arrives at Camp Pendleton with symptoms of a deadly virus, prompting a lockdown. Gibbs must take command while the team races to uncover whether they face an actual outbreak or another kind of danger.

Monreal, who has been integral to the show's success, is stepping away to pursue other projects. Meanwhile, NCIS: Origins has been renewed for a third season. The series boasts a diverse supporting cast including Mariel Molino as Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez, Tyla Abercrumbie as Mary Jo Hayes, and Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland. Other notable actors featured are Caleb Foote, Patrick Fischler, Julian Black Antelope, Michael Harney, Daniel Bellomy, and Bobby Moynihan.