Mark Harmon, the long-time star and producer of the hit series NCIS, has found his successor for the younger version of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. With the prequel series NCIS: Origins set to air, Harmon knew instantly upon meeting actor Austin Stowell during auditions for the role. "I felt the room jump a little, even before he said anything," Harmon recalled to PEOPLE, reflecting on the electrifying talent he witnessed during the casting process.
The search for young Gibbs was competitive, with many aspiring actors vying for the role. Harmon noted, "There was heavy competition there. There were a lot of good people. I would say there were really few who drew the attention Austin did." Indeed, after Stowell's audition, someone remarked, "I'll just say it, that's a movie star." This sentiment from industry insiders speaks volumes about Stowell's potential.
Harmon portrayed Gibbs from 2003 to 2021, establishing the character as a key figure within the franchise. Over the years, NCIS has expanded significantly, giving rise to several successful spinoffs, such as NCIS: New Orleans and NCIS: Los Angeles, as well as the more recent series, NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Hawaii, which has been canceled. Now, with NCIS: Origins officially announced, Harmon will not just be producing but will also reprise his iconic role.
Spinning off from the successful NCIS series, NCIS: Origins will showcase Gibbs' earlier years and will feature key moments leading up to his time at NCIS. The casting of Austin Stowell as the young Gibbs was finally confirmed after much speculation, particularly because Sean Harmon, Mark's own son, had previously filled the role of young Gibbs and was returned solely as executive producer.
Explaining what made Stowell perfect for the role, writer and executive producer David J. North stated, "We just knew when Austin came in, he was Gibbs. He embodied it. His talent is limitless — his dedication to the role, studying Mark, studying the show — he has a similar leadership quality. That bleeds right through to Gibbs the character." His commitment to capturing the essence of Gibbs reflects not just ambition, but respect for the legacy of the NCIS franchise.
Stowell himself expressed his dedication to the role, emphasizing the weight of portraying such an important figure. "You always have all of me," he told North and co-writer Gina Lucita Monreal. "I just want to give everything to this. I know what it means to the fans. I know what Gibbs means to many people out there, and I don't want to let them down." This passion signals promising things for both Stowell and the new series.
Viewers can also look forward to Harmon returning to the screen, albeit intermittently. He will step back from his producing duties to occasionally portray the older Gibbs, providing narration of his past experiences, which will be interwoven through the storyline of NCIS: Origins. This unique storytelling approach will bridge the younger Gibbs played by Stowell with Harmon’s original portrayal, offering fans continuity and depth.
NCIS: Origins is set to premiere on Monday, October 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+. With Harmon’s legacy included and Stowell’s promising performance, fans of the franchise have plenty to look forward to as they explore the roots of one of television’s most beloved characters.