When Kyle Schmid appeared at the NCIS: Origins panel during this summer’s Television Critics Association press tour, he sported a mustache that instantly brought to mind Muse Watson’s portrayal of Mike Franks in the original NCIS series. That’s no coincidence—Schmid is set to play a younger version of Franks in the upcoming prequel series.
Schmid, known for roles in SIX and Big Sky, spoke to TVLine about his approach to embodying the beloved character. “Becoming Mike Franks is interesting, because NCIS has a unique fandom,” Schmid said. “But as long as you stick to the specifics, it gives you the freedom to bring your own individuality to the role.”
For Schmid, one of those specifics is the mustache, a signature look that felt both period-appropriate and essential to the character. “The Franks character from the original series seemed to be stuck in 1991, so it only felt right to have the mustache,” he explained.
But Schmid didn’t stop there. He went further to capture Franks’ essence by convincing producers to let him wear dark brown contacts, transforming his naturally blue eyes. “It’s not the same looking in the mirror and seeing Kyle Schmid,” he said. “I needed to see someone completely different that I built from the ground up.”
In addition to the physical transformation, Schmid also adopted a voice similar to Watson’s portrayal. “I stay in character from the beginning of work to the end of work,” he said, slipping into his Franks voice during the interview.
These changes, Schmid believes, will help NCIS fans connect with this younger version of a pivotal figure in Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ life. The prequel series will explore the early days of their relationship, beginning in 1991 when Gibbs joins the NIS Camp Pendleton office.
Schmid describes Franks as someone who recognizes something “broken” in Gibbs—something that resonates with his own experiences. “Mike Franks sees an opportunity to save someone from themselves,” Schmid explained. “Bringing Gibbs into the NIS world in 1991 was a chance to give a talented young man a second chance after heartbreak.”
Co-showrunner David North summed up their dynamic: “They’re boss and probie! There’s nothing I love writing more. Seeing Gibbs in situations you could never imagine with Mark Harmon has been just wonderful.”
NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, Oct. 14, at 9/8c with a double-episode launch before moving to its regular 10 p.m. time slot the following week.
