The world of NCIS is expanding into the past once again. Shea Buckner, known for his role in Only Murders in the Building, is joining the cast of NCIS: Origins to play a young version of the beloved character Dwayne Pride. Buckner will appear in an upcoming episode of the show’s second season, which is currently airing. This new storyline will explore the early professional history between Pride and a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
The show’s co-creators, Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North, shared their excitement about exploring another classic character from the franchise. They stated:
“One of the special things about ‘NCIS: Origins’ is being able to explore the early days of so many beloved characters from the franchise. We’re excited to go back in time and meet the 1990’s version of New Orleans’ pride and joy, the legendary Special Agent Dwayne Pride, and learn more about his history with Gibbs.”
Meet the New Agent Pride
Shea Buckner’s Dwayne Pride will be introduced as a newly minted Probationary Special Agent from the NIS Panama office. His official character description reveals he is a former Sheriff’s Deputy. The episode will focus on Pride and Gibbs being forced to work together on an undercover case, forcing them to resolve past tensions in their relationship.
This introduction is a significant expansion of the NCIS prequel’s world, moving beyond the core team at Camp Pendleton to connect with other parts of the growing franchise.
Reconnecting the “Fed Five”
The arrival of young Dwayne Pride is a key step in reuniting the famous “Fed Five” task force. This group, first mentioned in the eleventh season of the original NCIS series, was a team of highly accomplished NIS agents in the early 1990s. The group included Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Mike Franks, Dwayne Pride, Dan McLane, and Felix Betts.
With Gibbs and Franks already being series regulars on Origins, and Buckner now cast as Pride, the show is actively working to complete the team. Reports indicate that casting for the roles of young Dan McLane and Felix Betts is currently underway. This reunion is a major event for long-time fans of the franchise, finally showing the early days of this legendary team on screen.
A Fitting Addition to the Expanding Prequel
NCIS: Origins has built its foundation on showing the early careers of characters fans have known for years. The show stars Austin Stowell as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, with Mark Harmon narrating as the older, retired Gibbs. Kyle Schmid plays a young Mike Franks, the seasoned agent who leads the Camp Pendleton team.
The series was recently renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 14, 2025. The new season has already introduced other younger versions of familiar characters, including a tribute appearance by Adam Campbell as young Donald “Ducky” Mallard.
Buckner’s own background adds an interesting layer to his casting. Before his acting career, he was a successful athlete, having played water polo for the United States at the 2012 Olympics. This athletic discipline is seen as a good fit for the driven and physical character of Dwayne Pride. In addition to Only Murders in the Building, Buckner has recently appeared in shows like The Rookie, The Blacklist, and Animal Kingdom.
The Legacy of Dwayne Pride
The character of Dwayne “King” Pride was originally brought to life by Scott Bakula. He first appeared in the original NCIS before leading his own successful spinoff, NCIS: New Orleans, which aired for seven seasons from 2014 to 2021. That series established Pride’s deep history with Gibbs and the wider NCIS world, making his appearance in the 1990s-set Origins a logical and welcome development.
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