NCIS fans admit prequel looks 'way better' than they thought as first trailer released

NCIS enthusiasts are buzzing after catching a glimpse of the much-anticipated spin-off, NCIS: Origins, which has surprisingly surpassed expectations following initial scepticism about the show's concept.

The prequel, set in the 90s, will chart the formative years of Special Agent in Charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a role made famous by Mark Harmon, with Austin Stowell donning the mantle this time around.

He's set to interact with well-known characters and some fresh faces within the team, known back then as the NIS.

A freshly dropped trailer reveals a grittier side to Gibbs, who flunked his psych evaluation in the first season's beginning and is described as "the definition of crazy".

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Viewers will witness the young Gibbs' journey to becoming the revered special agent that fans have admired for over twenty years, reports the Express.

Yet, Origins hasn't been without its critics, with some voicing their displeasure over CBS's choice to launch another spin-off at the expense of the recently axed NCIS: Hawaii.

Despite the initial backlash, the latest trailer has won over viewers, hinting at an innovative approach to the cherished series.

"This looks way better than I thought it would and it has that streaming service quality to it," one viewer commented on YouTube after the trailer release.

"Love the darker tone, and incredible visuals/lighting. Very streaming!" another chimed in.

"I thought this was gonna be terrible," confessed another. "But this looks amazing."

And a fourth enthused: "WOW, this may be better than I thought it was going to be.

"Listening to the voice over the last line hooked me, the stories I could never tell."

The excitement ramps up in the trailer as Gibbs is seen shaking hands with his fresh-faced colleague Special Agent Benjamin 'Randy' Randolf (Caleb Martin Foote) who's all set for them to "catch some bad guys".

On his very first day, 'Head Secretary in Charge', Mary Jo Sullivan (Tyla Abercrumbie) offers a warm greeting: "Welcome to the nut house, sweetie."

In addition, viewers get a glimpse at NCIS icon Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), taking Gibbs under his experienced wing, along with the introduction of Gibbs' father Jackson (Robert Taylor).

We hear the distinctive voice of Mark himself, who's set to come back and lend his voice to the series narration, overlaying intense snapshots of the squad unraveling grim murder cases and diving into high-octane field operations.

"They're always with you," he intones. "The stories you've told. The ones you never could. This is a story I don't tell."

NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, October 14 on CBS. NCIS is available to stream on Disney+.