Origins Season 2 Teased By Showrunners, Including Gibbs & Diane

NCIS: Origins tells the story of Young Leroy Jethro Gibbs’s (Austin Stowell) time at the NIS Camp Pendleton office, and besides the 1990s setting, I’m enjoying finding out more details about the iconic character’s history. I’m also one of several fans who liked seeing Mark Harmon show up in the premiere episode, and I think his moving narration adds a nice touch to the prequel series.

The NCIS: Origins season 1 finale aired on Monday, April 28th, 2025 after a fascinating 18 episodes, and after losing Mark Harmon’s Gibbs in NCIS season 19, it’s been great to see a younger version with his whole life ahead of him. After hearing what the showrunners are thinking about for NCIS: Origins season 2, I’m even more intrigued by what’s to come, and I’m especially interested to see one plotline.

NCIS: Origins Season 2 Will Feature One Particularly Exciting Gibbs Storyline

In an interview with Deadline in late April 2025, showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North talked about what to expect from NCIS: Origins season 2. North said:

While no concrete details were given, it sounds like one exciting storyline is coming soon, and I’m sure I’m not the only fan who can’t wait to see it all unfold. At the end of NCIS: Origins season 1, Gibbs meets a real estate agent named Diane (Kathleen Kenny), who fans remember as his second wife. This is an exciting moment for fans who have seen every season of NCIS since they know Diane becomes a big and important part of his life. It also sounds like Gibbs and Diane might get married in NCIS: Origins season 2, and I’m excited to see it. When asked about that potential plotline, Monreal said:

While it would be great to see Harmon play Gibbs on NCIS at some point, Austin Stowell gives a layered and memorable performance as young Gibbs, and I think it’s a great idea to show his relationship with Diane. NCIS fans know that she has a tragic end to her character arc, so it’ll be nice to see NCIS: Origins fill in the gaps of their story.

Like many characters on NCIS season 22 and on previous seasons, Gibbs is on top of his game when it comes to his career, but he struggles with his personal life. Since he remains a puzzle that viewers keep trying to figure out, it was a smart idea to center a prequel around him. Diane’s death profoundly affects Gibbs, especially since he lost his first wife Shannon and their daughter Kelly. I look forward to learning more about Diane and Gibbs’s relationship, especially since he met her at a challenging time. I loved when Diane tells Gibbs he has nice eyes, and I’m hoping for more hilarious moments like that in NCIS: Origins season 2.

What Happened To Gibbs’s Second Wife Diane Sterling On NCIS?

While some NCIS characters, like Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), moved away, others have tragically died, and these are some of the toughest moments to watch on the CBS procedural. Gibbs’s second wife, Diane Sterling (Melinda McGraw), dies on the series, and the conclusion to her arc is as sad as Kate Todd’s (Sasha Alexander).

In NCIS season 12, episode 12, “Check,” Sergei Mishnev (Alex Veadov) shoots and kills Diane, which is a horrifying moment for Gibbs, who has lost both Diane and Shannon. Diane comes back in NCIS, season 16, episode 24 ‘Daughters,” and appears to Gibbs as a ghost. Since Gibbs acts tough and cool, calm, and collected so much of the time, it’s both unsettling and fascinating to see him talking to a spirit.

Since Gibbs has been married four times and has experienced so much loss, I’m one of many fans who always enjoys learning more about his personal history. I’m curious to see more of Diane in NCIS: Origins season 2. Of course, given the tone of the prequel series and the original show, I’m sure Diane and Gibbs’s wedding won’t happen without some problems.