NCIS: Origins Lands Third Season Amid Shake-up

NCIS: Origins, the prequel series exploring the early career of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, has been granted an early renewal for its third season. This renewal comes with a significant behind-the-scenes change, as co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal will depart the series at the conclusion of its current season to focus on new creative endeavors.

David J. North, Monreal's fellow co-showrunner and a veteran of the NCIS universe, is set to continue as the sole showrunner for Season 3. This marks Monreal's second departure from the NCIS franchise, having previously spent a decade as a writer-producer on the original series before returning to co-create the prequel.

Both CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios President David Stapf issued a joint statement expressing gratitude for Monreal's contributions to launching and steering NCIS: Origins. They anticipate future collaborations. Monreal herself shared a heartfelt message, thanking those involved and expressing her excitement for the show's future under North's leadership.

North, who worked alongside Monreal for her entire tenure on the mothership series and co-created the prequel with her, echoed sentiments of friendship and professional admiration. He affirmed that the characters and stories they developed together will continue to thrive. NCIS: Origins returns with new episodes on March 3.