T hroughout the history of "NCIS," Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon, Austin Stowell) has followed a strict set of rules, edicts that also inform the wisdom he imparts

Some people who have been watching NCIS since its inception feel that they already know the backstory for its lead character Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), so they feel as if there’s no need for the prequel,

Long running series 'NCIS' spawns another spin-off with 'NCIS: Origins,' which delves into Gibbs' early years.

Warning: SPOILERS for the NCIS: Origins two-part premiere “Enter Sandman” are ahead!

This is a story I don’t tell. This is the story… of her.” With those few words from Mark Harmon’s narrator Gibbs, CBS’ NCIS: Origins (airing Mondays at 10/9c) raised millions of eyebrows and got people looking at the prequel spinoff n a new way.

Origins is great news for the franchise after his NCIS exit, but it also sets up a big problem for the prequel.

Mark Harmon remains an important component of the NCIS Universe, even though he is no longer starring on the flagship show. NCIS fans already knew Mark was part of the new prequel show, but nearly everyone thought it would only be behind the scenes.

Paramount Global Content Distribution has landed in Cannes with a new NCIS for international buyers, NCIS: Origins. Ahead of the event, Deadline spoke to the team behind it: Mark Harmon, the original Leroy Jethro Gibbs and an exec producer on the new show,