'NCIS: Origins' completes Federal Five with Adam Kulbersh & Mark Deklin

The prequel series NCIS: Origins has brought the Fed Five task force together in the 11th episode of Season 2, titled Feelin Alright?. Actors Adam Kulbersh (known for Law & Order: SVU and Modern Family) and Mark Deklin (Blue Bloods, Glamorous) join the cast as NIS Special Agent Felix Betts and NIS Special Agent Dan McLane, respectively.

The core team also includes Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell), Mike Franks (Kyle Schmidt), and Dwayne Pride, who will be portrayed by Shea Buckner. These characters mirror the originals: Gibbs was played by Mark Harmon, Franks by Muse Watson, and Betts by Stuart Margolin.

Character Profiles

Betts is an auditor from the Los Angeles office called to Camp Pendleton to assist a newly formed task force. McLane is a veteran field agent from the Panama office, brought in to lead a joint operation aimed at intercepting a stolen weapons ring. The episode centers on Pride, a former Sheriffs Deputy and now Probationary Special Agent at NIS Panama, who has a shared history with Gibbs, requiring them to resolve past tensions while undercover.

The Fed Five Background

The Fed Five concept first appeared in a two-part storyline during Season 11 of NCIS, titled Crescent City Parts 1 and 2. These episodes introduced Dwayne Pride and set the foundation for NCIS: New Orleans. Set in the 1990s, NCIS: Origins fits the timeline as the task force had disbanded in 1994. The series revisits the murder of McLane, a former NIS agent turned congressman and the groups leader.

Future Plans

While the 11th episode features all five agents together, details about potential recurring appearances or revisiting past cases remain undisclosed. The storyline may evolve as the characters are established in the series.

Production Notes

NCIS: Origins is produced by CBS Studios. Executive producers include David J. North, Gina Lucita Monreal, Mark Harmon, and Sean Harmon. Adam Kulbersh is represented by Gray Talent Group, while Mark Deklin is represented by Independent Artist Group and Crimson Media Group.

Author: Grace Ellison