NCIS: Origins' New Mike Franks Actor Details The Lengths He Went To To Look Like Muse Watson
Summary
Showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal defend doingNCIS: Originsafter Mark Harmon’s story as Leroy Jethro Gibbs played out for 19 years in the flagship project. CBS' premier police procedural is not new to launching spinoffs. In over two decades on the air, it has launched several offshoots, including an international branch withNCIS: Sydney. This fall, however, NCIS is looking back for its very first prequel. The'90s-setNCIS: Originswill tackle Gibbs' earliest years in the agency. However, there are questions about whether it is actually needed.
In a new interview withTV Line, North and Monreal respond to the backlash about expanding Gibbs' story when Harmon’s character already fronted the mainNCISshow for almost two decades. The showrunners point out that certain aspects of his past will come to light inNCIS: Origins, particularly citing thestart and development of his relationship with Mike Franks. Read their quotes below:
North: They don’t know as much as they think they do. Seeing Gibbs arrive at NIS on Day 1, and seeing how Gibbs became Gibbs…? You will realize there’s so much to explore.
Monreal: We’ve not seen that dynamic between ‘probie’ Gibbs and Mike Franks. It gives Gibbs a different kind of shading than we’ve seen before as a character.
North: The way he looks at Franks, you can see that bit of awe in his eyes.
How NCIS: Origins Can Change Gibbs’ Story In The Flagship Series
Gibbs Never Liked Talking About His Past In The Main NCIS Series
Harmon will narrate the prequel, but the role ofyoung Gibbs will be played by Austin Stowell.NCIS: Originswill also debut Kyle Schmid as young Mike Franks— originally portrayed by Muse Watson. The prequel’s premiere is set in 19991, with Gibbs fresh off his stint with the Marines. Grieving the unexpected death of his first wife and daughter, Shannon and Kelly,NCIS: Originswill start with the character at his most vulnerable. While this part of his life was tackled in the flagship show, it can still be a very different experience to see how things played out.
Gibbs was known to be quite private about his personal life. Despite being friends with Ducky Mallard for years, the former MCRT medical examiner didn’t learn about what happened to Kelly and Shannon until Gibbs was forced to talk about it on the heels of a near-death experience. This part of his life will likely be a focus onNCIS: Origins— at least in its earliest years. Beyond that, the upcoming prequel can also shed light onwhat happened with Gibbs' subsequent wives, including Diane, who eventually remarried Tobias Fornell.
I’m Concerned About NCIS: Origins After Seeing Young Mike Franks & Gibbs Together For The First Time
As production begins for NCIS: Origins, the first look at young Mike Franks and Gibbs on the set may be a cause of concern for the new CBS show.
As North and Monreal mention,Gibbs' dynamic with Franks will be a big draw forNCIS: Origins. Outside the pair’s relationship, there’s also curiosity about what the rest of their NCIS team will look like. Their debut is in line withNCISseason 22officially moving on from Gibbs, as it further solidifies the current MCRT team led by Alden Parker.
NCIS: Origins
Cast
NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, preceding the events of the original series. The series introduces Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Under the leadership of NCIS legend Mike Franks, Gibbs navigates his role within a tenacious, unconventional team.
