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NCIS: Origins, one of the most intriguing additions to the NCIS universe, is almost here with its first episode, and fans are ready to witness the rise of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (originally played by Mark Harmon and played by Sean Harmon for seven episodes) from the start. The series is also going to be set in the 1990s, which will add an extra dimension to the story.
However, unlike how most fans assumed when the series was first announced, Sean Harmon, the son of Mark Harmon, will not be playing the lead role in this series. Instead, Austin Stowell, best known for his role in Bridge of Spies, will take on this part.
As questions remained about why Sean Harmon was not given the role despite his appearances as young Gibbs in the original NCIS, Mark Harmon explained that his son enjoys a lot of different activities besides acting, and chose to remain as one of the creatives behind the camera for this one. This was simply a matter of preference for Sean, as per Mark Harmon.
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The first episode of NCIS: Origins will premiere on October 14, 2024.
Why Sean Harmon passed on the opportunity to play Gibbs in NCIS: Origins
As Sean Harmon had played a younger version of his father before, many had assumed that he would be taking on the role of the young Gibbs. But as explained by the senior Harmon, Sean is well into other activities besides acting and enjoys a lot of different things.
Mark Harmon explained to Variety:
"He’s an actor, writer, producer, a surfer, he does a lot of things. You have to come to decisions about what you want to do in life, or what you think’s important. I just think he made a choice and had to make a decision in some ways. He likes executive producing."
Sean Harmon is set to executive produce this series and will be a key part of the creative process. But Austin Stowell will take away the spotlight as a young Gibbs in the series.
Sotwell's selection as a young Gibbs was not an easy process, but Mark Harmon also explained how they felt he was the perfect person to take on the role in another interview with People. Although many were auditioning for the role, Harmon explained how Stowell made a whole different impression when he came for the audition. Harmon said:
"I felt the room jump a little when Austin came in, before he said anything. … He walked out [after the audition] and someone said, ‘I’ll just say it — that’s a movie star."
Stowell's addition was greeted with great response from fans, and with the series hours from premiering, hopes are high about the show and the characters.
What is NCIS: Origins all about?
NCIS: Origins is the sixth installment in the NCIS franchise and serves as a prequel to the original NCIS. Chronologically, it's the first of all the installments of the CBS drama. The series starts in the early 1990s and follows the rise of of the show's original protagonist, Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
The synopsis for the series reads:
"In the series, Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NIS Camp Pendleton office where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks."
Apart from Stowell and Harmon, the series stars Mariel Molino, Kyle Schmid, Tyla Abercrumbie and Diany Rodriguez as the series regulars.
NCIS: Origins season 1 episode 1 will premiere on October 14, 2024, at 9 p.m. EST on CBS.
