The popular CBS prequel series NCIS: Origins is undergoing a significant creative transition as it prepares for its third season. Gina Lucita Monreal, who served as co-showrunner alongside David North for the series' first two seasons, has announced her departure from the show to pursue other professional opportunities. This change marks a notable shift in the leadership structure of the series, which has become a cornerstone of the expanding NCIS franchise and a favorite among fans eager to understand the backstory of one of television's most iconic characters.
Monreal's exit comes at a pivotal moment for the show, which received an official renewal for Season 3 on January 22, securing its place in CBS's lineup for the foreseeable future. Her departure represents the end of a successful collaborative partnership that helped establish the prequel series as a worthy addition to the NCIS universe, balancing the weight of expectations from longtime franchise devotees with the need to create a standalone narrative that could attract new viewers. The showrunner's statement reflected both gratitude and optimism about the future of the series she helped create, suggesting that this transition, while significant, is amicable and planned.
In her official statement, Monreal expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to develop the origin story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the character who anchored the flagship series for nearly two decades. "It's been the biggest honor of my career to write NCIS: ORIGINS alongside my incredible co-showrunner and friend David North," she said, emphasizing the personal and professional significance of the collaboration. Her message extended thanks to CBS leadership including Amy Reisenbach and David Stapf for their support throughout the production process, highlighting the network's role in nurturing the project from conception to successful execution.
The veteran writer-producer also highlighted her collaboration with Mark Harmon and his son Sean Harmon, who have been instrumental in bringing authenticity to the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs narrative. Mark Harmon's portrayal of Gibbs in the original series made the character a cultural touchstone, and his involvement as narrator and executive producer for Origins has lent the prequel an air of legitimacy that fans have embraced. "To have had this opportunity to work again with the incomparable Mark Harmon, Sean Harmon, our writers, and the best cast and crew in the business — how lucky am I?" Monreal reflected. Her statement concluded with enthusiastic anticipation for the series' future, noting, "I can't wait to see what this extraordinary group cooks up for Season 3," signaling her confidence in the team's ability to maintain quality despite her absence.
David North, who will continue as sole showrunner for Season 3, responded to the news with a statement that underscored the strength and durability of their partnership. "Long before Gina was my incredible writing partner on NCIS: ORIGINS, she was, and remains, one of my closest friends," North shared, framing their relationship as foundational to the show's success. He acknowledged the significance of their collaboration in launching the series, stating, "I couldn't have imagined launching this show with anyone else, and even though Gina won't be working with us on a daily basis next season, the characters and stories she helped create will live on." This reassurance is crucial for fans concerned about potential narrative disruption.
North's comments suggest a seamless transition plan, with the narrative foundation and character development established during the first two seasons providing a solid base for future storylines. His expressed desire to "team up with her again in the future" indicates that this departure is amicable and leaves the door open for potential future collaboration, perhaps in different capacities or on other projects within the franchise. For now, North faces the challenge of steering the series solo while maintaining the creative vision that has made it successful.
The timing of Monreal's exit is particularly noteworthy given her extensive history with the broader NCIS franchise. According to industry reports, she had previously left the flagship series in 2021 after a decade of contributions that helped shape some of the show's most memorable story arcs. Her return to the universe to help develop Origins demonstrated her deep connection to the franchise and its characters, making her departure after just two seasons somewhat surprising but understandable in the context of television industry career patterns. This pattern of departure and return is not uncommon among successful showrunners who often juggle multiple projects or seek new creative challenges after establishing a series.
NCIS: Origins has carved out its own identity within the crowded television landscape by exploring the formative years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the iconic character originally portrayed by Mark Harmon in the main series. The prequel stars Austin Stowell as the young Gibbs, offering fans insight into the experiences that shaped the legendary NCIS investigator. Stowell's performance has been widely praised for capturing the essence of the character while bringing his own interpretation to the role, a delicate balance that has been essential to the show's acceptance by the fanbase.
The series has successfully balanced honoring the original character while creating fresh narratives that stand on their own merits, a challenge that many prequels fail to navigate successfully. By focusing on Gibbs's early days in the 1990s, the show provides historical context for the NCIS organization while exploring themes of mentorship, loss, and the development of the personal code that would define the character for years to come. This approach has allowed Origins to attract both longtime NCIS devotees and viewers new to the franchise.
The ensemble cast has been instrumental in the show's success, featuring Mariel Molino as Lala Dominguez, Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks, Tyla Abercrumbie as Mary Jo Hayes, Diany Rodriguez as Vera Strickland, and Caleb Foote as Bernard "Randy" Randolf. Each character adds depth to the early NCIS world, creating a rich tapestry of relationships and investigations that predate the events of the flagship series. The chemistry among the cast members has been a particular strength, with the mentor-mentee dynamic between Schmid's Franks and Stowell's Gibbs providing some of the series' most compelling moments.
As for the current season, Season 2 remains in active production with episodes continuing to air on schedule. The season is anticipated to conclude in May 2026, with the next installment scheduled for February 24, giving viewers a steady stream of content over the coming months. This timeline gives the production team ample opportunity to solidify plans for the upcoming season under North's sole leadership while allowing audiences to fully absorb the current storylines before the creative transition takes full effect. The extended broadcast schedule also provides a buffer period for North to assemble his writing team and develop the narrative direction for Season 3.
The renewal of Origins for Season 3 places it among an elite group of CBS properties that have received continued support from the network in an increasingly competitive television environment. The January 22 renewal announcement confirmed that 16 shows would return, including the flagship NCIS series and NCIS: Sydney, which has found its own audience with an international setting. However, not all expansions of the franchise survived the renewal decisions, as NCIS: Tony & Ziva received a cancellation notice, highlighting the competitive nature of television programming even within established franchises and the importance of performance metrics in determining a series' longevity.
The broader NCIS universe continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and audience loyalty, a testament to the strength of the brand and the consistent quality of its storytelling. The flagship series is preparing for its 24th season this fall, an impressive milestone that few dramas achieve in the modern television era. Meanwhile, Season 23 resumes broadcasting on March 3, with showrunner Steven D. Binder promising an action-packed continuation. Binder told TVLine of Season 23, "We open with a lot of heat, a lot of action — and we're hoping to not let up," a description that could apply to the franchise's overall approach to storytelling and its commitment to delivering the procedural thrills that fans expect.
For fans of NCIS: Origins, the showrunner transition raises natural questions about potential changes in tone, pacing, or narrative focus. Television history is filled with examples of series that struggled after losing key creative voices, but there are also many success stories where new leadership brought fresh energy and ideas. However, North's continued involvement provides consistency, and the strong foundation built during the first two seasons should ensure a smooth evolution rather than a disruptive overhaul. The characters and story arcs that Monreal helped develop will continue to drive the series forward, maintaining continuity for dedicated viewers while potentially opening new creative avenues under North's singular vision.
The television industry has seen numerous successful showrunner transitions, and many series have thrived under new creative leadership. The key factors working in Origins' favor include the established creative vision, the strength of the source material, and the continued involvement of key stakeholders like the Harmon family. These elements create a stable platform from which North can confidently guide the series into its third season and beyond. Additionally, the prequel format provides inherent narrative boundaries that can actually benefit a showrunner transition, as the ultimate destination of Gibbs's character is already known, allowing North to focus on the journey rather than worrying about fundamental character redefinition.
As production gears up for Season 3, audiences can look forward to new episodes of Season 2 beginning next month, ensuring that the wait for fresh content is minimal. The immediate future remains bright for the prequel series, with compelling storylines on the horizon and a clear path forward despite the leadership change. Fans eager for resolution to current cliffhangers and character arcs will find their patience rewarded, while those curious about the long-term direction of the series can take comfort in North's capable stewardship and his proven track record with the franchise.
The evolution of NCIS: Origins reflects the natural lifecycle of successful television productions, where creative talents often move on to new challenges while leaving their indelible mark on the projects they helped build. Monreal's contributions to the NCIS universe span over a decade and have helped shape one of television's most durable and beloved franchises. Her departure, while significant, is part of the ongoing creative renewal that keeps long-running series fresh and engaging for audiences. The television landscape is constantly evolving, and showrunners must often balance multiple projects or seek new opportunities to grow professionally.
For now, viewers can focus on enjoying the remainder of Season 2, which promises to deliver the compelling storytelling and character development that has become the series' trademark. The groundwork laid in these episodes will undoubtedly influence the direction of Season 3 under North's expanded leadership role, providing him with a rich narrative foundation from which to build. As the franchise continues to grow and adapt to changing viewer preferences and industry dynamics, the core elements that made NCIS a household name remain firmly in place, ensuring that both longtime fans and new viewers will find something to appreciate in the continuing saga of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and the early days of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
The success of NCIS: Origins has demonstrated that there is substantial audience appetite for well-crafted prequels that respect their source material while offering new perspectives. As the series moves forward under David North's leadership, it carries with it the creative DNA of its founding showrunners and the enthusiastic support of a dedicated fanbase. The departure of Gina Lucita Monreal marks the end of an important chapter, but the story she helped launch is far from over, and the best may be yet to come for this compelling exploration of a television icon's formative years.