Tom Cruise Surprises ‘NCIS: Origins’ Cast and Crew with Set Visit
Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise brought an unexpected jolt of star power to the set of NCIS: Origins this past week, offering insights and encouragement to the cast and crew of the burgeoning prequel series. The 63-year-old actor, renowned for his enduring roles in action franchises like Top Gun and Mission: Impossible, made a surprise appearance on Wednesday, October 15, at the Paramount lot in Hollywood.
A Warm Reception and Valuable Advice
During his visit, Cruise met with several key cast members, including Austin Stowell (40), who portrays a younger Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Caleb Foote (31). Photos shared by CBS and the official NCIS: Origins Instagram page captured Cruise warmly embracing the stars, readily sharing valuable professional advice. “Thanks for all the advice and the love, Tom,” read one social media caption, underscoring the positive impact of his presence on set.
Top Gun Inspiration for NCIS: Origins
The visit held a special significance for the show’s creative team. Co-showrunner David J. North, in an Instagram post on Thursday, October 16, expressed his excitement, calling Cruise’s presence “awesome” and noting his “much support to our show and the entire [NCIS] universe.” North further revealed a fascinating detail: he and fellow co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal had actually drawn inspiration from the iconic bar in Cruise’s 1986 classic Top Gun when designing Daly’s, the bar featured in NCIS: Origins. “So we were stoked he approved lol,” North added, celebrating the nod from the film legend himself.
Actors Thrilled by Unexpected Encounter
The actors were visibly thrilled by the unexpected encounter. Caleb Foote, 31, was even captured on video reenacting a scene for Cruise, while Austin Stowell, 40, playfully teased the moment on his Instagram Stories with the caption “Gibbs & Hunt, NCIS: Impossible,” a clever fusion of his character’s name and one of Cruise’s most famous movie titles. Such surprise appearances are not uncommon for Cruise, who famously surprised fans at a Top Gun orchestral show in 2024 and made impromptu visits to various theaters in 2023 to engage with Mission: Impossible enthusiasts.
NCIS: Origins – A Deep Dive into Gibbs’ Past
NCIS: Origins serves as a prequel to the long-running original NCIS series, delving into the professional and personal life of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs as he embarks on his Naval Criminal Investigative Service career in 1991. The series, which was officially renewed by CBS for a second season in February 2025, sees Austin Stowell stepping into the shoes of a character originally immortalized by Mark Harmon for two decades. Stowell, reflecting on the role in an October 2024 interview with PEOPLE, described it as “the opportunity of a lifetime,” emphasizing his desire to honor Harmon’s portrayal while bringing his own authentic touch to the role. “I wasn’t doing an impression, but I was trying to encapsulate who I thought Mark was,” Stowell stated, acknowledging Harmon’s leadership and lasting influence on the NCIS franchise. The series currently airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and is available for streaming on Paramount+.
Tom Cruise’s visit not only provided a memorable experience for the cast and crew of NCIS: Origins but also served as a high-profile endorsement for the show as it builds its audience and expands the beloved NCIS universe.
