The NCIS universe is expanding once again — this time by revisiting one of its most beloved characters from NCIS: New Orleans. TV Insider has confirmed that NCIS: Origins will cast a young version of Dwayne Pride, originally portrayed by Scott Bakula, marking another major crossover moment in the CBS prequel series.
A Familiar Face Returns — Decades Earlier
The upcoming episode will introduce Young Dwayne Pride, a newly minted Probationary Special Agent from the NIS Panama office, who already shares a history with Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played in his younger years by Austin Stowell). According to showrunners, the two will be forced to confront their “past tension” as they go undercover on a joint mission — setting the stage for one of the most enduring friendships in the NCIS franchise.
Fans first met Pride in the 2014 NCIS backdoor pilot episode “Crescent City,” where Mark Harmon’s Gibbs greeted him with a warm “Hello, my brother.” That moment cemented their deep bond — one that Origins now aims to explore from its roots.
“One of the special things about NCIS: Origins is being able to explore the early days of so many beloved characters,” said co-showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North. “We’re excited to go back in time and meet the 1990s version of New Orleans’ pride and joy, the legendary Special Agent Dwayne Pride, and learn more about his history with Gibbs.”
Revisiting the “Fed Five” and Their Shared Past
Longtime viewers will recall that Crescent City revisited a notorious group known as the Fed Five — Gibbs, Pride, Mike Franks, Dan McClane, and Felix Betts — who worked together on the infamous “Privileged Killer” case. Dan McClane, who served as a mentor to Pride, was murdered during that storyline, reuniting Gibbs and Pride years later.
In the 2014 episode, Gibbs told his team — Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), and Eleanor Bishop (Emily Wickersham) — that he had known Pride for 30 years and would “trust him with my life.” This timeline places their first meeting around 1984, setting Origins perfectly to show how their partnership began.
The prequel will also explore Pride’s early dynamic with Mike Franks, offering deeper insight into how these agents shaped each other’s careers before becoming legends of the NCIS world.
Building on a Strong Prequel Legacy
NCIS: Origins has already won praise for how it reintroduces younger versions of iconic characters, including Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (played by Adam Campbell), Tobias Fornell (Lucas Dixon), and Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez). Now, adding a young Dwayne Pride brings NCIS: New Orleans full circle within the franchise.
Bakula originally portrayed Pride for seven seasons on NCIS: New Orleans from 2014 to 2021, earning acclaim for his portrayal of the charismatic yet tough New Orleans field office leader. His younger counterpart in Origins will showcase the early years that molded Pride into the man Gibbs later trusted unconditionally.
The Creative Team Behind the Expansion
The series is produced by CBS Studios and executive produced by David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal, Mark Harmon, and Sean Harmon. Casting directors Jason Kennedy, Krysti Baxter, and Meredith Goble are leading the search for the actor who will portray the young version of Bakula’s iconic character.
While the episode date featuring Young Pride has not yet been announced, fans can expect it to air later this season.
What’s Next for NCIS: Origins
As NCIS: Origins continues to expand the backstories of its legendary characters, viewers are eager to see how the show connects the dots between Gibbs’ early years and his lifelong alliances. The introduction of Young Pride promises not only nostalgia for NCIS: New Orleans fans but also a richer look into the network of agents who helped define the NCIS legacy.
What are you most excited to see in Young Pride’s debut? Share your thoughts in the comments on InvestRecords.com.
