Mike Franks is Perfect, but Gibbs Needs Some Work
“NCIS: Origins” is gearing up for its premiere in just a couple of months, and while the show promises an intriguing look into Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early career, there are concerns about Austin Stowell’s portrayal of the beloved character. The creators might want to take cues from another lead actor to address this issue.
Focusing on Gibbs’ career start at NCIS in the 1990s, “NCIS: Origins” will delve into his personal drama and background story, with a particular emphasis on his relationship with Mike Franks. This spinoff aims to show how the characters transitioned from colleagues to closest friends.
Fans initially welcomed the updated look of Gibbs in the spinoff, but recent updates from the production have led to mixed reactions. A photo shared by cast member Mariel Molino, featuring her co-stars having fun between takes, brought this issue to light again. The photo also included Kyle Schmid, who plays young Mike Franks, Gibbs’ mentor and later a good friend who helped Gibbs kickstart his career at NCIS.
The accurate portrayal of Franks and Gibbs is crucial for the success of “NCIS: Origins.” Fans have praised Kyle Schmid for nailing the look and essence of Mike Franks, reminiscent of Muse Watson, the original actor. However, this high bar set by Schmid has highlighted the need for improvement in Stowell’s portrayal of Gibbs. Despite fixing the character’s wrong haircut, many fans feel that Stowell and his team still need to work on Gibbs’ look and demeanor.
There is still time for Austin Stowell to perfect his portrayal. Interestingly, involving Mark Harmon, the original Gibbs, might be the key. Although Harmon left the franchise, he could be a valuable advisor for the “NCIS: Origins” team. Having played Gibbs for decades, Harmon could provide insights into Gibbs’ clothing style, overall vibe, habits, and manner of speaking.
Kyle Schmid has already confirmed that Muse Watson was instrumental in preparing for his role as Franks. Stowell could take a similar approach and invite Mark Harmon to consult on the right way to portray Gibbs without deviating from the character established in the original show.
“NCIS: Origins” is set to premiere on CBS later this year.
