NCIS: Origins Star Austin Stowell Reveals Mark Harmon’s Key Advice on Playing Young Gibbs
NCIS: Origins star Austin Stowell shared how Mark Harmon, the iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs from the original series, has been instrumental in guiding him as he steps into the role of a young Gibbs.
“Harmon offered advice right away,” Stowell told Us Weekly. “He wasn’t necessarily telling me what to do but helped shape my approach to the character, focusing on posture and mindset—things I’ve grown into more over time.”
Stowell praised Harmon’s leadership, saying, “He leads by example. I’ve learned more from him about being a good person than about being Gibbs. He’s incredibly welcoming, not just to me, but to the entire cast and crew.”
The new spinoff, NCIS: Origins, chronicles a young Gibbs starting his career with the Naval Investigative Service at Camp Pendleton. Stowell described the role as a “tremendous honor” and shared how he worked to capture both the essence of Gibbs and the evolution of his character.
“I knew I had something Gibbs-esque in me,” Stowell told PEOPLE. “It was exciting to decide which traits were innate to Gibbs and which ones developed over time. That process was a lot of fun.”
Harmon, in turn, expressed his admiration for Stowell’s portrayal, revealing: “I felt the room shift when Austin walked in—before he even said a word. The competition was fierce, but Austin stood out immediately.”
With Harmon’s mentorship and Stowell’s dedication, NCIS: Origins promises to give fans a deeper look into the beginnings of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.
