The NCIS franchise has taken the television world by storm, captivating audiences with its riveting narratives and beloved characters. While NCIS stands as the flagship show, its origins trace back to a spin-off series itself. The true progenitor of the NCIS franchise is JAG, a legal drama that enjoyed a successful 10-season run from 1995 to 2007.
JAG follows a team of enlisted lawyers known as JAG (Judge Advocate General), tasked with prosecuting and defending cases within the American military. The series stars David James Elliot as Harmon “Harm” Rabb Jr. and Catherine Bell as Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie, two Navy lawyers navigating the complexities of military criminal cases. Their dynamic and the unresolved tension between them create a gripping will-they-won’t-they dynamic that keeps viewers engrossed.
Created by Donald P. Bellisario, a military veteran renowned for his work on Magnum P.I. and Quantum Leap, JAG seamlessly blends courtroom drama with military operations, offering audiences a unique and exhilarating viewing experience. The show features top-tier action sequences sourced from iconic films like Top Gun and The Hunt for Red October, bridging the gap between ’80s military spectacle and the investigative intrigue of NCIS.
In 2003, NCIS emerged as a spin-off from JAG, introducing a backdoor pilot during the eighth season of its parent series. This two-part special introduced iconic characters such as Jethro Gibbs, Anthony DiNozzo, Abby Sciuto, and Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. As they investigated the murder of a JAG Navy Lieutenant, with Harm as the prime suspect, the characters of NCIS quickly captured the hearts of audiences, propelling the show to become one of CBS’s longest-running series.
