“Shea Buckner Joins ‘NCIS: Origins’ as Young Dwayne Pride in Prequel”
Shea Buckner will portray a young Dwayne Pride in CBS’s series NCIS: Origins. This exciting addition has generated significant interest among fans. Buckner is known for his role in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, where he played Tony Caccimelio. He is expected to appear in one episode this season.
Character Background
Dwayne Pride, originally portrayed by Scott Bakula, is a former Sheriff’s Deputy and an NIS Special Agent. In NCIS: Origins, Pride is depicted as a newly appointed Probationary Special Agent from the NIS Panama office. The prequel primarily focuses on his past relationship with Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell in this series.
The Fed Five Task Force
The upcoming episode featuring Buckner will also reunite the Fed Five task force. This group gained fame in NCIS by capturing the Privileged Killer, Spencer Hanlon. Originally introduced in NCIS’s 11th season during the two-part episode titled “Crescent City,” the Fed Five includes a diverse ensemble of NIS agents:
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs
- Michael Franks
- Dan McLane
- Felix Betts
- Dwayne Pride
As young versions, Gibbs and Franks are portrayed by Stowell and Kyle Schmid. Casting is ongoing for the roles of McLane and Betts.
Character Profiles
In NCIS: Origins, McLane is depicted as a confident, smart agent in his late 40s who operates out of the NIS Panama office. He leads a joint task force aimed at dismantling a stolen weapons ring in the 1990s.
Felix Betts, also in his 40s, is characterized as a meticulous auditor from the Los Angeles NIS office. He excels at navigating complex bureaucratic processes, helping to identify critical patterns in investigations.
Series Development
NCIS: Origins is set in the 1990s, providing a rich backdrop for exploring the histories of beloved characters. Showrunners Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North are eager to delve deeper into the relationships and legacies of Pride and Gibbs. While more details about Buckner’s episode remain undisclosed, fans speculate about potential references to the Privileged Killer case.
The show features a talented cast, including Mariel Molino, Caleb Foote, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Diany Rodriguez. Produced by CBS Studios, the series airs new episodes of its second season on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Shea Buckner, a former Olympic water polo athlete, continues to make strides in his acting career. He has been recognized for his versatile performances, including his recent stage role as Stanley Kowalski in a production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
