Tom Cruise made an unexpected and exciting appearance on the set of NCIS: Origins this week, creating a memorable moment for the cast and crew of the popular CBS prequel. The surprise visit happened at the Paramount Studios lot, where the Mission: Impossible star spent time with the show’s team, offering support and encouragement as they film their new season.
The official Instagram account for the NCISverse shared the news, posting a photo of a smiling Cruise with the main cast. Co-showrunner David J. North expressed his enthusiasm online, revealing a special connection between the show and one of Cruise’s most famous films.
The Surprise Visit
On October 16, 2025, the cast and crew of NCIS: Origins received an unexpected VIP guest. Tom Cruise stopped by their set on the Paramount lot, a visit that was described as a spontaneous and happy event. While Cruise has his own business with Paramount, including the developing Top Gun 3, his decision to drop by the NCIS set was a welcome surprise.
The show’s co-showrunner, David J. North, shared multiple posts on Instagram, including photos and videos from the visit. He wrote that it was “awesome to have Tom Cruise stop by yesterday to hang out and show so much support to our show and the entire NCISverse.” The posts showed Cruise interacting warmly with the cast, including Austin Stowell, who plays the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs. In one light-hearted moment, the actor even received a spontaneous FaceTime call from his longtime collaborator, Emilio Estevez, much to the delight of everyone present.
A Nod to Top Gun
A key detail from the visit involves a specific set piece on NCIS: Origins. North explained that the show’s bar, named Daly’s, was directly inspired by the bar featured in Cruise’s 1986 classic, Top Gun. The show’s creators used the famous location as a model when designing their own bar set.
North shared his relief and excitement that Cruise approved of their creation, writing, “We took inspiration from the bar in Top Gun when we dreamt up our bar, Daly’s. So we were stoked he approved lol. Thanks for all the advice and the love, Tom.” This approval from the Hollywood icon undoubtedly served as a significant endorsement for the production design team.
Cast Reactions and a Fun Crossover
The stars of the show were clearly thrilled by the visit. Austin Stowell, who leads the series as a young Gibbs, posted a picture with Cruise on his Instagram Stories. He cleverly captioned it, “Gibbs & Hunt, NCIS: Impossible,” merging his character’s name with Ethan Hunt, the iconic role played by Cruise in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Another video shared by North showed cast member Caleb Foote reenacting a scene for Cruise, demonstrating the positive and collaborative atmosphere on set. The visit was reported as a major morale boost for the team as they work on the second season of the prequel, which began airing new episodes in October 2025.
About NCIS: Origins
NCIS: Origins is a prequel to the long-running television series NCIS. The story begins in 1991, years before the events of the original show, and follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs as he starts his career as a new special agent at Camp Pendleton. The series explores how Gibbs finds his place within a tough and unorthodox team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.
The series is narrated by Mark Harmon, the original actor who portrayed Gibbs for nearly two decades. Harmon also serves as an executive producer on the prequel alongside his son, Sean Harmon, and co-showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal. The show has been a success for CBS and Paramount+ since its premiere in October 2024, earning high praise from critics and viewers.
Tom Cruise’s Connection to Paramount
While Cruise recently began a new production partnership with Warner Bros., he maintains a long-standing relationship with Paramount. He is currently in discussions with the studio for Top Gun 3, following the massive success of Top Gun: Maverick. His presence on the Paramount lot is therefore not unusual, though his friendly stop on a television set is a less common occurrence for the star, who is predominantly known for his film work.
This visit is in line with Cruise’s history of making surprise appearances, having previously shown up unannounced at Top Gun orchestral performances and Mission: Impossible screenings to show support and connect with fans and fellow creators.
Also Read: NCIS: Origins Season 2 Premiere: Lala’s Survival Revealed and Gibbs Starts a New Romance
