Shea Buckner Cast as Young Dwayne Pride in NCIS: Origins

LOS ANGELES, CA — CBS has announced that Shea Buckner will portray a younger version of Dwayne Pride in the prequel series NCIS: Origins. The episode featuring Buckner is set to air later this season.

Pride, originally played by Scott Bakula in NCIS: New Orleans, will appear as a new probationary special agent from the NIS Panama office. In this episode, Pride must navigate his past tensions with Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell.

Alongside Buckner, the episode will reunite the Fed Five task force, known for unmasking the Privileged Killer, Spencer Hanlon, during NCIS’ 11th season. This group includes characters such as Michael Franks, played by Kyle Schmid, and will see additional castings for Dan McLane and Felix Betts.

McLane, who will be in his late 40s during the events of NCIS: Origins set in the 90s, is characterized as smart and authoritative. Betts, also in his 40s, is described as a likable auditor from the Los Angeles office, known for his ability to sift through complex paperwork.

The Fed Five storyline first emerged in a two-part episode titled “Crescent City” from Season 11 of NCIS. The episodes served as the backdoor pilot for NCIS: New Orleans and explored the murder of McLane, a former NIS agent.

Showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North expressed their enthusiasm for diving deeper into the franchise’s history, focusing on the relationships between Pride, Gibbs, and the other characters.

While details about the episode are limited, fans remain hopeful that the Privileged Killer case may be revisited. NCIS: Origins features additional cast members, including Mariel Molino and Diany Rodriguez.

New episodes of NCIS: Origins air Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Buckner recently appeared in the Hulu comedy Only Murders in the Building and has a background as a former Olympian in water polo.