This upcoming spring, the NCIS franchise will be launching a two-part sweeps episode of the program, which will also serve as a pilot for NCIS: New Orleans.

If the future CBS drama ends up getting the greenlight for more, it could make it on the air as soon as the fall of 2014, according to TV Guide on Oct. 8.

Interestingly enough, actor Mark Harmon, who dons the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS,  is on board to be one of the TV series' executive producers, which is mind-boggling considering he wasn't too fond of the idea of another spinoff, NCIS: Los Angeles four years ago.

The 62-year-old recently spoke to the entertainment site about the creative brass' objective with the newest show, also admitting that it was showrunner Gary Glasberg that contributed to his change of heart on such a concept.

"Gary Glasberg. That's my answer! The target is two terrific episodes of this series, which we are going to do anyway. But now we get a chance to really do it," he said.

However, Glasberg did acknowledge that it was Harmon himself who was initially sold on the sweeps episode idea, thinking it had legs for even more.

"And to Mr. Harmon's credit, he looked at me and said, 'That's more than a sweeps episode.' I realized he might be right. We'll do our best to cast and write it well and create something fun and different," he said.

For the latest information on all the NCIS programs, as well as the New Orleans spinoff, please be sure to check back with Enstars. 

Tags: NCIS New Orleans television CBS