NCIS: Origins just hit an unexpected speed bump, and it is not a small one. Right as the prequel lines up for its Season 3 return, the show is losing one of the voices that helped shape it from day one.Co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal is walking away from the show after Season 2, and this is a creative shake-up that comes around at a sensitive moment for the series.Here's what we know about how and why this exit changes the road ahead for what's to come next for Origins.Why Gina Lucita Monreal’s from NCIS: Origins Season 3 comes in at the worst possible timeFor NCIS: Origins, Gina Lucita Monreal is not just another executive name on the team for the credits. She is someone who has helped build the tone, the pacing, and the story required to be told for the prequel, along with David J. North.As reported by Deadline, Monreal will be leaving the show at the end of Season 2 to focus on new projects that she has lined up. It is also important to note that this was her call, and not a decision made by the network.CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios President David Stapf acknowledged her impact in a joint statement. They said,“Gina has been an important beloved member of the NCIS family for many years. We are incredibly grateful to her for helping launch and steer NCIS: Origins...We look forward to working with her again in the future on new projects, and know the creative foundation she helped build will continue to thrive.”This exit comes at the worst possible time because NCIS: Origins is looking deeper into young Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ life. Season 2 has already taken a look at his marriage to Diane. Losing a co-creator at this stage means handing these major story threads to a smaller team, which could bring in the possibility of a risk factor.What Season 3 looks like now with David J. North in chargeSeason 3 of NCIS: Origins will move forward with David J. North as the showrunner. North has spent a decade working on the original NCIS series and previously served as a co-showrunner.2024 TCA Summer Press Tour - CBS Network - Source: GettyNorth addressed the change in his own statement. He said,“Long before Gina was my incredible writing partner on NCIS: Origins, she was, and remains, one of my closest friends. I couldn’t have imagined launching this show with anyone else...I can’t wait to team up with her again in the future.”Monreal also shared her thoughts on leaving. She said in a statement,“It’s been the biggest honor of my career to write NCIS: Origins alongside my incredible co showrunner and friend David North...To have had this opportunity to work again with the incomparable Mark Harmon, Sean Harmon, our writers, and the best cast and crew in the business how lucky am I? I can’t wait to see what this extraordinary group cooks up for Season 3.”Calling this a setback does not necessarily mean NCIS: Origins is in any major trouble, but it does mean Season 3 comes in with a major loss. The series is already walking a careful line as the first prequel in the NCIS universe.Monreal’s exit comes as the show prepares to look into important chapters in Gibbs’ past by setting up future story arcs that fans already recognize. With North steering alone, the hope is that the voice Monreal helped establish stays intact.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more updates.