NCIS: Origins to Premiere Fourth Episode October 27
The prequel series will feature the return of Emily Wickersham as Ellie Bishop on the upcoming October 27 broadcast.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Television
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CBS is scheduled to air the fourth episode of the third season of NCIS: Origins on October 27. The upcoming installment features the return of actress Emily Wickersham to the franchise as her character Ellie Bishop.
Why it matters
The return of established franchise characters highlights the studio's strategy of bridging the gap between its prequel series and the flagship show. This move aims to build upon recent momentum as the series explores the history of young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
NCIS: Origins recently reached 4.39 million viewers, marking a 20% increase in viewership for the broader franchise. The upcoming premiere represents the fourth episode of the show's third season.
The players
Emily Wickersham
She is an actress who returns to the NCIS franchise as Ellie Bishop after a multi-year absence.
Austin Stowell
He portrays a younger version of the character Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the prequel series.
Mark Harmon
He is an actor and producer who has returned to contribute to the expanding NCIS franchise.
Michael Weatherly
He is an actor who returned to the NCIS franchise following his previous tenure as a lead on the original show.
The details
In the new episode, Gibbs revisits a location containing memories to investigate mystery assailants from his past at Camp Pendleton. The narrative features Gibbs seeking answers about these attackers as he navigates his history before his life in Alaska.
Timeline
1993: The team faces a target involving a general's son.
2021: Emily Wickersham departed the flagship NCIS show.
October 4 through 10: NCIS and New York were top-ten network shows.
October 27: NCIS: Origins Season 3, Episode 4 premieres.
Industry Dynamics
This move reflects a broader industry trend of utilizing established franchise intellectual property to drive engagement across spin-off series. By weaving legacy characters back into the narrative, the studio maintains continuity and attempts to mitigate franchise fatigue.
Viewers can watch the upcoming episode during the standard Tuesday night airtime for the franchise. The inclusion of returning actors provides a direct narrative link for long-time fans who follow both the prequel and the original series.
The takeaway
The return of iconic characters underscores the enduring value of franchise continuity in maintaining viewership levels. Fans can expect continued efforts to link the origins of core characters to the established events of the primary series.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the industry on the Television section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Collider.
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