NCIS: Origins delves deep into Gibbs’ origins, focusing on his early days as an NCIS agent stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1991. Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon in the flagship series and Austin Stowell in the upcoming NCIS: Origins, continues to play a pivotal role in expanding the NCIS franchise.
Gibbs and Leon Vance, portrayed by Rocky Carroll, currently share the record for appearing in the most NCIS shows, showcasing their enduring impact across the franchise. Vance, overseeing multiple NCIS field offices, has been a fixture in NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai’i. With the potential inclusion in NCIS: Sydney’s second season, Vance could soon break this record, solidifying his presence in five shows.
The introduction of NCIS: Origins presents Gibbs with an opportunity to further his record-breaking streak within the NCIS universe. Despite his lengthy tenure as the face of the franchise, it was only with the creation of NCIS: Origins that Gibbs became a contender for this record. Few characters rival Gibbs’ expansive reach within the NCISverse.
Gibbs has been featured prominently in NCIS and its spinoffs, including NCIS: New Orleans and JAG, with Origins marking his fourth appearance across the franchise. While Gibbs has yet to join the cast of NCIS: Los Angeles, his connections to the LA office were explored in a memorable two-part storyline that served as the backdoor pilot for the series.
In contrast, Vance, portrayed consistently by Rocky Carroll throughout his appearances, has already matched Gibbs’ four-show record. His authoritative role and widespread influence within the NCISverse make him a formidable competitor for this milestone.
As NCIS continues to expand with new shows and potential crossovers, the rivalry between Gibbs and Vance for the most appearances in the franchise adds an intriguing dimension to the longstanding success of the series.