Every great TV character has a past — some we’ve seen in flashbacks or stories told in passing, others remain tantalizing mysteries.
That’s why the idea behind NCIS: Origins is so irresistible. Getting to see a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in action and figuring out who he was before becoming the leader we know is a fan’s dream come true.
And with the upcoming Dexter: Original Sin set to explore how a young Dexter Morgan became a serial killer, it’s clear that TV is embracing the allure of origin stories.
It makes us wonder: What if other TV legends got the same treatment? From bold leaders to unpredictable renegades, there are so many characters whose early days could be just as compelling.
What shaped them? Who were they before their defining moments? Did they always follow the same moral code, or did they stumble along the way?
These questions keep us hooked on shows like NCIS, and they’d make for incredible backstories for other TV icons.
So, we’ve rounded up 23 legendary characters we’d love to see step into the spotlight for their own origin stories. Imagine the drama, the twists, and the moments that turned these names into icons.
Raymond Reddington — The Blacklist
Raymond Reddington from The Blacklist is the ultimate enigma — a master manipulator, criminal mastermind, and occasional savior, all rolled into one impeccably dressed package.
Over the years, Red has shared countless stories about his past — some outrageous, others intriguing, and all leaving fans wanting more.
A prequel could bring those tantalizing tidbits to life, exploring how he went from Naval intelligence to one of the world’s most wanted fugitives.
Imagine a young Red outsmarting foes, forging alliances, and planting the seeds of his infamous blacklist.
It’s a story that practically writes itself.
Watch The Blacklist Online
Boyd Crowder — Justified
Boyd Crowder from Justified is the ultimate wild card — equal parts charm, menace, and twisted morality.
But what led him to become the outlaw we couldn’t help but root for?
A prequel could explore Boyd’s early days in Harlan County, from his tumultuous upbringing to the roots of his volatile friendship-turned-rivalry with Raylan Givens.
Was there ever a moment Boyd could’ve taken a different path, or was he always destined to live on the edge of the law?
His backstory would be a gritty tale of survival, ambition, and the complicated code that makes Boyd unforgettable.
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Lorne Malvo — Fargo
Lorne Malvo from Fargo is the embodiment of chaos — an enigmatic, ruthless predator who leaves a trail of destruction wherever he goes.
But what made him this way? A prequel could explore the origin of his cold-blooded philosophy, uncovering the events that turned him into a master manipulator and unflinching killer.
Was he always this calculated, or did something — or someone — push him to embrace the darkness?
A backstory for Malvo would be a chilling dive into the making of one of TV’s most terrifying and fascinating characters, from his first schemes to his earliest victims.
Watch Fargo Online
Ducky Mallard — NCIS
Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard from NCIS was the heart and soul of the team, leaving behind a legacy as rich and storied as the cases he solved.
But what about his own story? A prequel could explore his early career as a medical examiner, his time in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and the mysterious escapades he often hinted at.
NCIS has already proven it can deliver rich, compelling backstories, as seen with Gibbs via NCIS: Origins, and Ducky’s would be no exception.
From his dashing youth to his early passion for forensic pathology, Ducky’s backstory would celebrate the life and legacy of one of NCIS’s most beloved characters.
Watch NCIS Online
Hetty Lange — NCIS
Henrietta “Hetty” Lange from NCIS: Los Angeles is the definition of enigmatic — a brilliant operations manager with a past steeped in mystery.
While the series has dropped hints about her time in espionage and her global connections, there’s so much more to explore.
How did Hetty rise through the ranks to become one of the most respected figures in intelligence? A prequel could dig into her early missions, the alliances she built, and the secrets she keeps close.
Again, as NCIS did with Gibbs, Hetty’s backstory would be a goldmine for fans craving more of her legendary tale.
Watch NCIS: Los Angeles Online
Jack Bauer — 24
Jack Bauer from 24 is the ultimate action hero — a relentless counterterrorism agent willing to sacrifice everything to save lives.
But what shaped him into the man who could handle it all before the nonstop adrenaline and impossible choices?
A prequel could dive into Jack’s early days as a soldier and his time in the CIA, exploring the missions that forged his steely resolve and the personal losses that hardened his edges.
How did Jack become the guy who’s always one step ahead, no matter the odds? His backstory would be a pulse-pounding exploration of duty, danger, and destiny.
Watch 24 Online
The Smoking Man — X-Files
The Smoking Man from The X-Files is the ultimate puppet master, pulling strings from the shadows and shaping the world with a cigarette in hand.
But how did he become the man behind the conspiracy? A prequel could delve into his early years in government, the pivotal moments that led him into the Syndicate, and his first taste of power.
What turned him into such a ruthless manipulator?
Exploring his climb to the top and the choices that destroyed his humanity would make for a dark, fascinating origin story worthy of the man who kept Mulder and Scully guessing.
Watch The X-Files Online
Mr. X — The X-Files
Mr. X from The X-Files is one of the series’ most enigmatic figures — a shadowy informant who helped Mulder navigate the murky waters of government conspiracies.
But what led him to take such a dangerous path? A prequel could reveal the man behind the cryptic warnings, exploring his time within the government, the secrets he uncovered, and the betrayals that pushed him to risk everything.
What made him decide to become a reluctant ally to Mulder?
Mr. X’s backstory would be a gripping tale of moral conflict, hidden agendas, and the high stakes of knowing too much.
Watch The X-Files Online
Frank Black — Millennium
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Frank Black from Millennium is one of TV’s most fascinating characters — a brilliant FBI profiler with a knack for getting inside the heads of killers.
But his story goes far beyond catching criminals. Why are dark forces so fixated on him like the sinister Lucy Butler? When did the line between his gift and the supernatural start to blur?
A prequel could dig into the roots of his ability and reveal the moments that drew demons into his life.
Was Frank always destined to wrestle with both evil and the unexplainable? We’d love to find out.
Negan — The Walking Dead
Negan from The Walking Dead is one of TV’s most infamous villains — charismatic, ruthless, and full of surprises. But before the bat and the leather jacket, who was Negan?
We’ve seen glimpses of his past, but a full prequel could dive into his life before the apocalypse.
What was his marriage to Lucille really like? How did he go from a regular guy to a leader who ruled with fear?
Exploring the cracks in his humanity and the choices that turned him into the man we love to hate would make for a brutal, gripping origin story.
Watch The Walking Dead Online
Don Draper – Mad Men
Don Draper from Mad Men is a master of reinvention — a slick advertising genius with a past as murky as his whiskey glass.
We know bits and pieces of his backstory, like how he shed his identity as Dick Whitman after a life-altering incident during the Korean War, but there’s so much left unexplored.
What pushed him to take such an extreme path? A prequel could dive into his troubled youth, his time in the military, and the defining moment when Dick became Don.
It’s the kind of rich, character-driven drama that would be as captivating as the man himself.
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Omar Little — The Wire
Omar Little from The Wire is one of TV’s most unforgettable antiheroes — a street-smart, stick-up man with a strict moral code and a knack for outwitting everyone.
But what shaped this iconic character?
A prequel could explore Omar’s early life in Baltimore, revealing how he developed his unique sense of justice and his reputation as the most feared man in the game.
What were the defining moments that turned him into the legend we came to know?
Omar’s backstory would be a raw, gripping tale of survival, loyalty, and the making of a modern Robin Hood.
Watch The Wire Online
The Man in Black — Westworld
The Man in Black from Westworld is a labyrinth of contradictions — a ruthless, calculating force with layers of pain, obsession, and regret beneath his cold exterior.
But what about the man before the park?
A prequel could explore William’s rise from a young, idealistic investor to the hardened figure we came to know.
What twisted his love for Westworld into something so dark? How did his relationship with Delos, his family, and his own morality evolve — or unravel?
The making of the Man in Black would be a complex, haunting journey into power, ambition, and the cost of losing oneself.
Watch Westworld Online
Sylar — Heroes
Sylar from Heroes is the villain you love to hate — a watchmaker-turned-serial killer with a terrifying hunger for power.
But what set him on this dark path? A prequel could delve into Gabriel Gray’s early life, exploring the frustrations of feeling ordinary in a world where he longed to be extraordinary.
What was the moment that unlocked his deadly obsession with abilities? How did his relationship with his mother and his first encounters with others like him shape his descent into villainy?
Sylar’s origin story would be a chilling, tragic look at the making of a monster.
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Sybil Branson — Downton Abbey
Sybil Branson from Downton Abbey was a trailblazer, defying societal norms and family expectations to follow her heart. But what sparked her fiery independence?
A prequel could explore Sybil’s early years as the Crawley family’s youngest daughter, highlighting the moments that ignited her passion for social justice and equality.
How did her connection with Tom Branson develop in those first stolen glances? And what pushed her to take the daring leap into a love that challenged every convention?
Sybil’s backstory would be a heartfelt journey of courage, conviction, and the making of Downton’s most rebellious soul.
Watch Downton Abbey Online
Philip and Elizabeth Jennings — The Americans
Philip and Elizabeth Jennings from The Americans are the ultimate double agents — seemingly ordinary suburban parents living extraordinary lives as KGB spies.
But how did they get there? A prequel could dive into their training days in the Soviet Union, exploring the sacrifices, indoctrination, and personal struggles that molded them into elite operatives.
What was their first mission together? How did their complicated partnership evolve into love?
Their backstory would be a tense, emotional deep dive into the making of two of TV’s most compelling spies, blending espionage with raw humanity.
Watch The Americans Online
Maggie Walsh — Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Maggie Walsh from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was more than just a psychology professor — she was a cold, calculating scientist with a dangerous obsession for control.
But how did she go from academia to running the secretive Initiative?
A prequel could explore her transformation from a brilliant scholar to the mastermind behind some of Sunnydale’s darkest experiments.
What drove her to blur the lines between science and morality? And how did she develop the vision for her Frankenstein-like creations?
Maggie’s origin story would be a fascinating look at how ambition and hubris turned her into one of Buffy’s most chilling adversaries.
Watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer Online
Angela Abar – The Watchmen
Angela Abar from Watchmen is a powerhouse — a masked vigilante with a heart full of conviction and a past full of secrets.
While we’ve seen glimpses of her history, there’s so much more to uncover. What drove her to put on the Sister Night mask?
A prequel could explore her time as a police officer in Vietnam, the traumas and triumphs that shaped her worldview, and how her family’s legacy intertwined with her own fight for justice.
Angela’s backstory would be a gritty, emotional rollercoaster that dives deep into what made her one of TV’s most compelling heroes.
Watch The Sopranos Online
Livia Soprano — The Sopranos
Livia Soprano from The Sopranos is a character who redefines the term “complicated.”
As the manipulative matriarch of the Soprano family, her sharp tongue and icy demeanor left scars on everyone around her — but what made Livia the way she was?
A prequel could uncover her early years, exploring her tumultuous marriage to Johnny Boy, her struggles as a young mother, and the seeds of the toxic relationships we saw unfold.
Was she always this calculating, or did life’s hardships shape her? Livia’s backstory could offer a chilling look at the woman who loomed so large over Tony’s life.
Watch The Sopranos Online
C.J. Cregg — The West Wing
C.J. Cregg from The West Wing is the gold standard for grace under pressure — a sharp-witted press secretary who could handle any curveball with poise and a killer comeback.
But what shaped the woman who stood at the podium and spoke for the leader of the free world?
A prequel could explore her journey from a California kid to a communications powerhouse. What were her early career struggles? How did she hone her no-nonsense attitude?
Watching C.J. rise through the ranks, taking on sexism and skepticism with her signature wit, would be as inspiring as it would be entertaining.
Watch The West Wing Online
Rowena MacLeod — Supernatural
Rowena MacLeod from Supernatural is a force of nature — powerful, cunning, and utterly unapologetic.
As a centuries-old witch with a flair for drama, she’s left an unforgettable mark on the series. But what was life like before she became the queen of spells and schemes?
A prequel could take us back to her early days in Scotland, her troubled relationship with the Grand Coven, and the heartbreak that hardened her.
Imagine watching a young Rowena discover her immense power, face betrayal, and lay the groundwork for the fiery, fabulous witch we know and love.
Now, that’s a spellbinding story.
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Ella Lopez — Lucifer
Ella Lopez from Lucifer is the kind of character who lights up every scene with her quirky humor and big heart.
But behind that sunny exterior lies a past that’s only been hinted at — a complicated family, a history of dark struggles, and an unexpected connection to the supernatural.
A prequel could peel back the layers of her journey, showing how she became the forensic genius we adore.
What shaped her boundless faith and resilience? And how did she end up with that secretive guardian angel?
Ella’s backstory would be a mix of heart, humor, and a dash of celestial mystery.
Watch Lucifer Online
Gus Fring — Breaking Bad
Gus Fring from Breaking Bad is a man of mystery — a calculated, meticulous drug kingpin who hides his ruthless nature behind a polite smile and a fast-food empire.
But how did he become the man who always stays ten steps ahead?
A prequel could explore Gus’s early days in Chile, the origins of his partnership with Max, and the events that set him on a path of vengeance against the cartel.
What shaped his cold, precise approach to power? Gus’s backstory would be a gripping tale of ambition, tragedy, and the birth of a criminal mastermind.
Watch Breaking Bad Online
Who’s Next for the NCIS: Origins Treatment?
These 23 characters are just the tip of the iceberg. TV is packed with legends whose pasts beg to be explored.
The possibilities for origin stories are endless, from untold tragedies to game-changing moments.
But what about you? Who’s the character you’d love to see get the deep-dive treatment?
Drop your picks in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going.
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