NCIS: Originswill take a different course, thanks to Mark Harmon. The seasoned actor portrayed the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs character in the originalNCISseries that spun off from the 1990s legal proceduralJAG.TheNCIS: Originsprequelwill explore the origin story of Mark Harmon’s character, but the catch is that the series will go back in time to explore how the Special Agent-in-Charge came to be. Austin Stowell took over the role of Jethro Gibbs for the prequel series, and he will form a new Gibbs persona as he starts at NIS at California’s Camp Pendleton.
The original actor portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the flagship for years untilMark Harmon exitedNCISin season 19. While the actor stepped away from the role in 2021, Harmon remains ingrained in theNCISfranchise, working as an executive producer for the flagship series even after his departure. He holds the same role onNCIS: Originsalongside his son, Sean Harmon. As such, Mark Harmon has sizable leverage on how the prequel series turns out and has undoubtedly exercised it. However, Harmon used his leverage to give Stowell freedom with the Jethro Gibbs role.
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Mark Harmon’s Advice To Austin Stowell Inevitably Results In A Different Gibbs In NCIS: Origins
Austin Stowell Will Create A New Leroy Jethro Gibbs
As an executive producer forNCIS: Origins,Mark Harmon has had opportunities to impart wisdom to his successor. In an August 2024TV Insiderinterview, theNCIS: Originsyoung Gibbs actor revealed Harmon’s advicefor playing the character was simple:“Trust yourself.“The words are powerful, especially from someone with an established presence as the character. Mark Harmon would have every authority, as executive producer and the original Gibbs actor, to attempt to control the next installment of the character. Instead, his comment suggests he wants Austin Stowell to make the role his own rather than copy his performance.
TheNCIS: Originsseries premiere is on CBS on Monday, October 14, at 9 pm Eastern.
The vote of confidence that Mark Harmon trusts Austin Stowell is significant coming from someone who has played the role for nearly two decades, and Stowell is aware of Harmon’s massive presence as the character. Stowell said,“Mark Harmon has done a job that actors dream to do,“in the way he captured the world as Jethro Gibbs. Another comment Stowell made during the interview suggests he understood and will apply Harmon’s advice:“This is not the Gibbs leader that the world knows now.“Stowell’s understanding of the role’s complexity is promisingfor his success.
Why Stowell’s Young Gibbs Being Different From Harmon Good For NCIS: Origins
Stowell Will Bring An Authentic Portrayal Of Gibbs
Austin Stowell’s interpretation of the role strikes the right balance. Austin Stowell has researched the Gibbs character and understands Mark Harmon’s impressive contributions to television as Jethro Gibbs. Still, Stowell understands that the Gibbs ofNCIS: Originsis different. That’s good forNCIS: Originsbecause while the character has an established presence,Gibbs would have been an entirely different person a dozen years earlier than in 2003whenNCISdebuted. Stowell’s variant of the Gibbs character will encompasswhat happened to Gibbs' family inNCIS, withNCIS: Originsexploring how that tragedy affected the future NCIS leader.
NCIS: Origins
Cast
NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, preceding the events of the original series. The series introduces Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Under the leadership of NCIS legend Mike Franks, Gibbs navigates his role within a tenacious, unconventional team.
