**NCIS: ORIGINS Star Kyle Schmid on Stepping Into the Role of Mike Franks**
As production begins on the first season of NCIS: ORIGINS, Kyle Schmid shared his excitement about portraying Mike Franks, Leroy Gibbs’ mentor, and delving into the NCIS universe of the ’90s.
Schmid told TV Insider, “It’s a great opportunity to be part of a show that has become a procedural television staple. Mark Harmon set the standard, and he’s been incredibly supportive, offering advice and insights through emails and calls. It’s been invaluable.”
NCIS: ORIGINS will explore the early days of the NCIS unit at Camp Pendleton, led by Franks, who hand-picks his team of promising young agents.
“Franks was part of NCIS for a long time when we first met him in 2001. He was older and more jaded. Now, we see him at a point where he’s earned the agency’s respect and is building a team of the most promising agents. We’ll see how he mentors Gibbs and why Gibbs became the beloved character he is,” Schmid explained.
Schmid is also enthusiastic about the nostalgic setting. “The music is what excites me. I grew up with Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and those are still on my playlist. We get to play with the dynamics of the male-female relationship in the workplace, reflecting the ’90s era.”
Mark Harmon, executive producer of ORIGINS, is equally excited about the setting. “It’s 1990, a time we haven’t explored before. It will be different,” he told ET.
Schmid is joined by Austin Stowell as young Gibbs, Mariel Molino as Special Agent Lala Dominguez, and Robert Taylor as Gibbs’ father. NCIS: ORIGINS is set to air this fall on CBS.
Schmid’s career includes roles in BLOODTIES, BEING HUMAN, and COPPER. He described Franks as “a proud Texan with a strong moral compass, determined to find justice by any means necessary,” according to Deadline.