CBS’s hit prequel series, NCIS: Origins, will move forward with a new creative lead. Co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal is leaving the show after its second season. David J. North, who created the series with her, will become the sole showrunner for the recently announced Season 3.
The news follows the show’s early renewal for a third season last week. Monreal is leaving to focus on new projects. This marks her second departure from the NCIS universe. She was a writer-producer on the main NCIS series for ten years before leaving in 2021. She later returned to help launch the prequel.
What This Change Means for the Show’s Leadership
David J. North will now have full creative control of NCIS: Origins. He and Monreal have worked together for years, both on the original NCIS and as partners on the prequel. In a statement, North called Monreal one of his closest friends.
“I couldn’t have imagined launching this show with anyone else,” North said. “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”.
CBS executives released a joint statement thanking Monreal. CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios President David Stapf called her an “important beloved member of the NCIS family”. They said they are grateful for her work in launching the series and look forward to future collaborations.
Monreal also released a statement expressing her gratitude.
“It’s been the biggest honor of my career to write NCIS: Origins alongside my incredible co-showrunner and friend David North,” Monreal said. She thanked the network, studio, and the Harmon family, adding, “I can’t wait to see what this extraordinary group cooks up for Season 3”.
The Current Status of NCIS: Origins Season 2 and 3
The show is currently in the middle of its second season. New episodes are scheduled to return to CBS on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET. The series follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell, in the early 1990s. It explores his start as a special agent with the Naval Investigative Service shortly after a personal tragedy.
Season 3 is officially confirmed for the 2026-2027 broadcast season. An exact premiere date has not been set, but it will likely air in the fall. The main cast, including Austin Stowell, Mariel Molino, and Kyle Schmid, is expected to return.
A major story point waiting for the series is the official name change of the agency. The show began in 1991, and the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) became the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in December 1992. Producers have confirmed this historic change will be part of the show’s story.
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Fan Reactions and the Show’s Creative Foundation
The announcement has sparked discussion among dedicated fans of the franchise. Some viewers have expressed concern about the change in leadership, noting that showrunners deeply influence a series’ tone and character arcs. Others have shared support for Monreal, celebrating her past work and looking forward to her next projects.
The series was developed after Mark Harmon and his son, Sean Harmon—both executive producers—approached Monreal and North with the idea. From the start, the co-showrunners focused on respecting the original series’ canon while making the prequel accessible to new viewers.
“We’re really keen on sticking to canon,” Monreal said in a 2025 interview about their approach. “We want to pay respect to the mothership… But we also love branching out into our new characters and digging into their emotional lives”.
This creative philosophy established a strong foundation that David J. North is now tasked with continuing on his own. With the series already renewed, his immediate challenge is to ensure a smooth transition for the writing team and maintain the show’s creative momentum.
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