NCIS: Origins is finally about to return! The highly anticipated second season is set to start airing on CBS this October, and fans are looking forward to watching more of the early days of the NCIS team unfold. Joining the cast in its second installment is an actor who many may recognize from the One Chicago franchise. It's none other than Philip Winchester!
NCIS: Origins season 2 adds Philip Winchester to the cast
As reported by Deadline, Winchester will appear in a key recurring role in NCIS: Origins season 2. He is set to play a character by the name of Mason Franks. Does that name ring a bell? It should because Mason is the older brother of Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), the beloved NCIS agent fans have come to know in the series.
Mason is described as a “Texas-tough cowboy” who’s recently faced serious setbacks. Despite his honorable nature, he’s struggling to save the family ranch and is forced to turn to his estranged younger brother for support. He will show up in the fourth episode of the season. It'll be interesting to see how Mason’s arrival impacts Mike. Seeing as though they are estranged, his arrival could stir up unresolved tensions and challenge their relationship. However, it would be nice to see the brothers find common ground and work through whatever it is that has caused them to be distant from one another. That's our hope for Mike and Mason in NCIS: Origins season 2.
Winchester is best known for his role in series like Chicago Justice, where he played Assistant State’s Attorney Peter Stone. He also portrayed this same character in other installments of the One Chicago franchise, including Chicago PD and Chicago Med. Additionally, he reprised the Peter Stone role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But his most recent role was starring as Sheriff Dan Brigman in Netflix's hit romantic western series Ransom Canyon.
NCIS: Origins is created by Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North. It serves as a prequel to the long-running NCIS series, exploring the early career of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991. The police procedural follows Gibbs as he begins his career as a special agent at the newly established NIS Camp Pendleton office, which is led by veteran agent Mike Franks.
A crossover episode is also planned for season 2, connecting NCIS: Origins with the flagship series. It will air sometime in November.
NCIS is now on its twenty-third season. Both NCIS season 23 and NCIS: Origins season 2 are scheduled to premiere on CBS on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. NCIS season 23 will air first at 8/7c, followed by NCIS: Origins season 2 at 9/8c.