How does Mark Harmon really feel about NCIS: ORIGINS?

Released: November 13, 2024

How does Mark Harmon really feel about NCIS: ORIGINS?

By Movieguide® Contributor

Mark Harmon may not have much of an acting role in NCIS: ORIGINS, but he’s still very much involved.

He reflected on his role as narrator for the show in an interview with Parade.

“It’s been fun because both (showrunners) Gina (Lucita Monreal) and David (J. North) have a long history with the show and I go way back with both of them,” he said. “So I, who did the narrative, was always going to be a part of this, so it wasn’t a surprise. What’s the surprise, Gibbs says. Sometimes I don’t have a lot to do in an episode, and sometimes I do a boatload of things to do, and that is to put words in the mouth of a character who traditionally said a lot with very little.”

READ MORE: NCIS: ORIGINS 1.1 AND 1.2 “ENTER SANDMAN – PART 1 AND PART 2” REVIEW

Harmon added that he is very happy with the decision to cast Austin Stowell as the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

“We are delighted with the cast,” he said. “Austin is a great kid and a great actor. I think back to all the weeks we spent in casting offices trying to put that cast together and we couldn’t be happier with this cast, but at the same time I think back to the original show , say the first four years, and the casting of the show and how many changes there were in the first four years, there were big changes, and you’d expect it to be no different on this one, that there will be changes. “

Harmon’s son Sean Harmon, who is the executive producer of ORIGINS, has previously spoken about how young Gibbs differs from his father’s version.

“The character of Gibbs has resonated with global audiences because he’s a role model and someone you can relate to,” said Sean Harmon, Mark Harmon’s son, who served as an executive producer. “The world is used to seeing Gibbs as ‘the boss,’ but in NCIS: ORIGINS we’re dealing with a much less tempered version of him. Fans can look forward to a more intimate look at what makes Gibbs tick, as well as meeting some of the characters who have influenced him along the way.”

READ MORE: NCIS: ORIGINS IS ‘GRITTER’ THAN PREVIOUSLY. IS IT WORTH WATCHING?

ORIGINS just received a full-season order from CBS last week.

“NCIS: ORIGINS has added a brilliant new dimension to the NCIS franchise with an origin story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and a cinematic ’90s experience featuring distinct characters, stories and crime.” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment.