Where was NCIS: Origins season 1 filmed? All shooting locations and more explored

NCIS: Origins, the newest addition to the NCIS family of series, premiered on October 14, 2024. This new drama is a prequel set in 1991, following a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs as he joins the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to become the legendary NCIS agent.

The CBS synopsis for the series reads:

"NCIS: Origins follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991, years before the events of NCIS, and is narrated by Mark Harmon. In the series, Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid)."

The primary locations where NCIS: Origins has been shot are Camp Pendleton in California and across Los Angeles. Other scenes were shot around Washington, D.C.

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All filming locations of NCIS: Origins

1) Camp Pendleton

Camp Pendleton is a large West Coast United States Marine Corps base. NCIS: Origins has been primarily shot in this location. Several outdoor scenes, such as training exercises and operations, have been filmed at Camp Pendleton.

This place grounded the series within a military context, contributing to its portrayal of military life.

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2) San Pedro, California

San Pedro is a coastal neighborhood in Los Angeles, rich in maritime history and scenic views along the waterfront. This area often appears in the series to depict the nearby naval bases and the ocean.

Some of the scenes in NCIS: Origins are shot in San Pedro, employing the ports and naval facilities in the area to make the sequences look as real as Gibbs gets his first case. Cabrillo Beach and Weymouth Corner Shopping Center are some of the prominent spots that have brought the scenic background views on-screen.

The series started filming in early 2024, with several scenes capturing the military and investigation environments that form the backdrop for Gibbs' early career.

Show creator David J. North told Deadline on October 14, 2024:

"Gina (writer-producer) and I took our writing staff and went with the director of the two-hour premiere to make sure this was as realistic as possible. We shot in San Pedro to match Pendleton."

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NCIS: Origins - Cast and plot of the series

The diverse cast of NCIS: Origins include the following names:

• Austin Stowell as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs
• Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez
• Kyle Schmid as Special Agent Mike Franks
• Diany Rodriguez as Special Agent Vera Strickland
• Tyla Abercrumbie as Officer Mary Jo Sullivan
• Patrick Fischler as Cliff Walker
• Tonantzin Carmelo as Tishmal "Tish" Kwála
• Ely Henry as NIS Junior Chemist Philip Elertson
• Marisa Baram as Gail Price
• Eric Normington as Special Agent Roger Murphy
• Betzaida Landín as Melanie Hewitt
• Jordyn Rax as Girlfriend
• Mark Harmon as Narrator
• Daniela Cardarelli as Leticia Flores
• Robert Taylor as Jackson Gibbs
• Daniel Roebuck as Artie
• Ashley Dulaney as Jessica Maloney
• Julian Black Antelope as Doctor Témet Téngalkat
• John Churchill as Deputy Sheriff Robert Morris
• Adele Abinante as Kelly Gibbs
• Cheryl Tsai as Reporter #2
• Evan Shafran as Marine
• Dollar Tan as Sam
• Devin Halliwell as Marine Officer
• Javon Anderson as Staff Sergeant Derek Jones
• Hattie Hoskins as Mildred Jones
• Richard Blackmon as Danny Prado
• Will Schoeninger as Marine Officer
• Patrick Steven as Marine
• Amanda Rea as Attendant
• Kelly Albanese as Julie Larsen
• Sari Sanchez as Estela Dominguez
• Beckett Blomberg as Boy Gibbs
• Jonima Diaby as Connor
• Jesse Medeles as Arturo

NCIS: Origins is a prequel series that takes viewers back to Leroy Jethro Gibbs's early career, played by Austin Stowell, before the events of the original NCIS series. The show is set in 1991 and reflects the early days of a young Gibbs when he joins the NCIS Camp Pendleton office as a newly minted special agent.

He works under the guidance of NCIS legend Mike Franks, portrayed by Kyle Schmid, forging his place on a gritty, ragtag team. The series is narrated by Mark Harmon, who plays the character of older Gibbs.

The series delves into the background information on Gibbs' childhood and sees how events and experiences shaped the protagonist, whom the followers of the original NCIS series know and admire.

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NCIS: Origins season 1 is available to watch on CBS. There are several ways to watch with a free live stream, including YouTube TV, Paramount+, Fubo, DIRECTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV