Tom Cruise Pulls Off an Impossible Mission on the 'NCIS: Origins' Set!

The ultimate movie star surprised the cast and crew of the CBS prequel, bringing some A-list energy and a super cool Top Gun connection!

TL;DR: The Quick Hits You Need to Know!

• Tom Cruise made an unannounced visit to the set of NCIS: Origins at Paramount Studios, sparking major excitement among the cast and crew.
• Co-showrunner David J. North revealed that the show's iconic "Daly's Bar" set was directly inspired by the bar in Cruise's classic film Top Gun.
• The surprise visit comes right after NCIS: Origins Season 2 premiered, giving fans a fun, unexpected peek behind the scenes and extra buzz for the new episodes.

Alright, folks, buckle up! You know how sometimes the universe just throws a curveball in the best possible way? Well, that's exactly what happened recently on the set of CBS's hit prequel series, NCIS: Origins, when none other than Hollywood legend Tom Cruise himself decided to drop by for a surprise visit!

Imagine showing up for your shift, ready to dive into some intense '90s NIS action, and suddenly, the star of Mission: Impossible and Top Gun is just... there. Laughing, posing for photos, and generally making everyone's day. That's the kind of epic crossover event we didn't know we needed, and the internet is absolutely buzzing about it!

An Unscheduled, High-Impact Celebrity Set Visit to Remember

The impromptu visit, which took place in mid-October 2025 right after the NCIS: Origins Season 2 premiere, was first shared across social media by the official NCISVerse account, as well as by co-showrunner David J. North and series star Austin Stowell (who plays a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs). Pictures and videos quickly went viral, showing Cruise in his element, genuinely engaging with the cast and crew.

He was seen sharing laughs and striking poses with stars like Austin Stowell, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Caleb Foote. According to North, the visit was all about "showing much support" for the new season and the entire NCIS universe. It sure looked like a fantastic morale boost for everyone involved!

Daly's Bar: A Secret Top Gun Connection You Won't Believe!

But the biggest, most mind-blowing reveal from Cruise's visit wasn't just his presence; it was a juicy little tidbit dropped by co-showrunner David J. North. Turns out, a key set piece in NCIS: Origins has a direct, intentional link to one of Tom Cruise's most iconic films.

"As we kick off a new season of Origins, it was awesome to have @tomcruise stop by yesterday to hang out and show some much support to our show and the entire @ncisverse."

"@ginalucita and I took inspo from the bar in Top Gun when we dreamt up our bar, Daly’s. So we were stoked he approved lol. Thanks for all the advice and the love, Tom."

— David J. North, NCIS: Origins Co-Showrunner, via Instagram

That's right! The beloved "Daly's Bar" on NCIS: Origins, a local hangout for the Navy officers in the 1991-set series, was designed with the legendary bar from 1986's Top Gun in mind! How cool is that? North and fellow co-creator Gina Lucita Monreal explicitly took inspiration from Maverick and Goose's stomping grounds, and Cruise's seal of approval during his visit must have been the ultimate validation. Talk about a full-circle moment!

Why Was the 'Mission: Impossible' Star on the Paramount Lot Anyway?

Now, if you're wondering what brought the global superstar to the NCIS: Origins set in the first place, it actually makes a lot of sense. While the visit itself seemed like a serendipitous "pop-in," Cruise has significant ongoing business at Paramount Studios. For decades, Paramount has been home to his blockbuster franchises, including the Mission: Impossible series and, of course, Top Gun.

In fact, his presence on the lot is likely connected to the continued development of Top Gun 3. Following the massive success of 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, which raked in an incredible $1.49 billion worldwide and became Paramount's biggest release since Titanic, a sequel is a top priority for Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison. So, while his stop at the NCIS: Origins set was a delightful surprise, his overall presence at the studio was very much business as usual.

It's also a smart move within Paramount Global's larger strategy of cross-franchise synergy. With massive IPs like Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, Yellowstone, and NCIS all under their umbrella, an A-lister like Cruise casually dropping by a TV shoot is a fun, organic way to highlight the interconnectedness and boost buzz across their properties. It's a win-win for everyone!

The 'NCIS: Origins' Season 2 Scoop and What Viewers Can Expect

Beyond the superstar sighting, there’s plenty of exciting stuff happening with NCIS: Origins itself. The surprise visit coincided perfectly with the Season 2 premiere, which aired on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Fans who were left on a nail-biting cliffhanger in the Season 1 finale finally got their answers: Lala, played by Mariel Molino, miraculously survived her severe car accident and is already back at work!

While Mariel Molino herself wasn't seen in any of the photos with Cruise (we're guessing she was off-set or filming elsewhere that day!), her character's fate was a huge relief for viewers. But that's not all for Season 2! Get ready for some major plot developments, including:

• A Groundbreaking Crossover Event: In the fifth episode, titled "Buried Truth," NCIS: Origins will have its first major crossover with the mothership series. Despite a 30-year time gap, the writers have ingeniously crafted a story where a cold case from the '90s will be re-examined in the present-day NCIS timeline. How cool is that for long-time fans?
• Gibbs' First Interrogation: Co-creator Gina Lucita Monreal teased that Season 2 will feature a pivotal moment for young Leroy Jethro Gibbs: his very first proper interrogation. We've seen him question people in various ways, but this will be the moment he truly steps into his legendary interrogation style.

New episodes of NCIS: Origins air every Tuesday at 9/8c on CBS, and you can stream them anytime on Paramount+.

What About Tom Cruise's Other Recent Headlines?

Interestingly, Cruise's surprise set visit wasn't the only headline he was making around mid-October. Reports also broke that he and actress Ana de Armas had quietly ended their nine-month relationship. Sources close to the former couple indicated an amicable split, with both deciding they were "better off as mates."

Despite the breakup, the two are still slated to work together on Cruise's upcoming supernatural thriller, Deeper, and another film tentatively titled Pressure. It seems even while navigating personal life changes, Cruise remains focused on his packed film slate, making unexpected, charismatic appearances as a true Hollywood showman.

All in all, Cruise's visit to NCIS: Origins was a fun, memorable event for everyone involved, adding a dash of big-screen magic to the small screen and giving fans plenty to talk about. It highlights the kind of cool, spontaneous moments that can happen when an industry veteran connects with a burgeoning hit within the same studio family. Who knows what other impossible missions Tom Cruise might undertake next!

Frequently Asked Questions About 'NCIS: Origins' and Tom Cruise's Visit

When did Tom Cruise visit the 'NCIS: Origins' set?

Tom Cruise made his surprise visit to the set of NCIS: Origins in mid-October 2025, specifically on a Wednesday, right after the show's Season 2 premiere.

Why was Tom Cruise at Paramount Studios?

Cruise was likely at the Paramount Studios lot for his ongoing film projects, especially the development of Top Gun 3, which is a major priority for the studio following the success of Top Gun: Maverick.

Where can I watch 'NCIS: Origins' Season 2?

New episodes of NCIS: Origins Season 2 air Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS. You can also stream episodes on Paramount+.

What's the connection between 'NCIS: Origins' and 'Top Gun'?

Co-showrunner David J. North revealed that the show's set for "Daly's Bar" was directly inspired by the iconic bar featured in Tom Cruise's 1986 film Top Gun.

Sources:

• TVLine (Claire Franken) - "Tom Cruise Visits NCIS: Origins Set – See Behind-The-Scenes Photos" (Oct. 16, 2025)
• Deadline (Armando Tinoco) - "Tom Cruise Makes Surprise Appearance On ‘NCIS: Origins’ Set At Paramount Lot" (Oct. 16, 2025)
• ¡HOLA! (Daniel Neira) - "Tom Cruise makes surprise appearance after Ana de Armas breakup news" (Oct. 16, 2025)
• Collider - "Tom Cruise Made a Surprise Visit to the 'NCIS: Origins' Set"
• CBR - "Tom Cruise Visits NCIS: Origins Set & Reveals Show's Secret Top Gun Connection"
• CinemaBlend (Adrienne Jones) - "Tom Cruise Visited The Set Of NCIS: Origins, And I Have Questions"
• FandomWire - "Tom Cruise Makes Surprise Appearance On ‘NCIS: Origins’ Set At Paramount Lot"