LOS ANGELES — Before stepping into the role of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs for NCIS: Origins, actor Austin Stowell immersed himself in the original NCIS series. He studied countless episodes, particularly the way Mark Harmon brought Gibbs to life.
“Mark created a very specific cadence with Gibbs,” Stowell explained. “Fans should see glimmers of him in this younger version. I know I’ll never be Mark Harmon, but I’m giving it my best shot.” Producers agree, noting Stowell even wears contact lenses to match Harmon’s eye color.
Set in 1990 at Camp Pendleton, NCIS: Origins explores Gibbs’ early years, chronicling the trauma that shaped the man fans came to know. “You’ll see Gibbs lose his wife and child and find his way back to becoming the man we know 20 years later,” Stowell said.
Mark Harmon, who stepped away from NCIS after Season 19, serves as an executive producer and narrator for Origins. “This is a new story to tell, and it felt like the right time,” Harmon said. The show’s sets evoke a bygone era, with old computers, soda flavors, and office supplies, immersing viewers in the early ’90s.
Sean Harmon, Mark’s son and an executive producer on Origins, described Gibbs’ younger self as “a guy at risk of going down a darker path.” The idea for Origins stemmed from Sean’s flashback portrayal of Gibbs in NCIS.
Stowell, known for Bridge of Spies and Catch-22, welcomed the challenge. “Every script feels like a self-help book. I’m learning about myself through this role,” he shared. Though mindful of fan expectations, he’s committed to honoring Gibbs. “I know I’ll be judged, but I can promise you, I’m giving it my all.”
Mark Harmon praised the project for bridging the gap between NCIS fans and the real agency it portrays. “It’s our job to bring an audience into that world, and Origins does just that.”
