The CBS fall 2024 season takes one of its most popular franchises back in time with *NCIS: Origins*. This prequel, set in 1991, follows a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) early in his career as a special agent at the fledgling Naval Investigation Service (NIS) at Camp Pendleton, which eventually becomes the iconic NCIS division we know today.
Gibbs joins a ragtag team led by Mike Franks, portrayed by Kyle Schmid. Schmid, a Canadian actor known for his roles on the History military series *Six*, Syfy’s *Being Human*, and ABC’s *Big Sky*, steps into the role originally played by Muse Watson in the flagship series. Despite Mike Franks’ death in Season 8 of *NCIS*, his character occasionally returned to guide Gibbs (Mark Harmon) as an almost guardian angel. Schmid, expecting his first child with his wife Caity Lotz, shares his excitement about the new show and the legacy of the *NCIS* franchise.
**Interview with Kyle Schmid**
**Q: What does it mean for you to be part of the legacy of this NCIS franchise? What kind of resource has Mark Harmon been for this new cast?**
**Kyle Schmid:** Being part of such an iconic series feels like a tremendous opportunity. *NCIS* has set the standard for procedural television for many years. Mark Harmon has been incredibly supportive, offering his expertise, advice, and help through emails and calls. Spending time picking his brain has been invaluable.
**Q: How does it feel to balance your personal milestones with this professional opportunity?**
It’s an incredible feeling. I’ve recently gotten married, we’re expecting our first child, and I’m shooting at Paramount in Los Angeles. It feels like I’ve won the lottery. The cast is fantastic, and I’m a genuine fan of everyone involved. With a wonderful wife, a great job, a new house, and a baby on the way, my life feels very complete and lucky. Mark Harmon and I have become friends, catching up every few weeks, and having his blessing to play a younger version of a character he developed has been very cool.
**Q: How would you describe Mike Franks at this point in his life and career?**
Mike has been with NIS for a while by 1991. When we meet him in the original series in 2001, he’s older and more jaded, having seen many things he wished he could have controlled better. In *NCIS: Origins*, he’s earned the respect of the agency and is building a team of promising agents, including Gibbs. We’ll see why Gibbs becomes the beloved character from the original *NCIS* and how Mike Franks plays a significant role in that development.
**Q: With the show set in the 1990s, what kind of vibe can we expect?**
The 1990s vibe, especially the music, excites me. I grew up on Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and those bands are still on my daily playlist. We’ll also explore the dynamics of male-female relationships in the workplace, reflecting the societal norms of the time. David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, our fantastic showrunners, will tackle these themes. The show will explore the nuances of 1991 Los Angeles, a significant period in history, with phenomenal directing and a younger, edgier cast that promises to make for an exciting show.
**Q: How are you preparing for the demands of your personal and professional life?**
I’m fortunate to have an amazing wife, Caity. Her mom and my dad are coming to town to help. I love working, and it energizes me. Balancing work I love and a family I love, I’m definitely burning the candle at both ends, but it’s incredibly fulfilling.
*NCIS: Origins* premieres on September 1 at 10/9c on CBS.
