Austin Stowell to Portray Young Version of Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs in New NCIS Spinoff

Austin Stowell has a big role as he takes on a new role in the upcoming CBS movie NCIS prequel series.

In a press release shared with PEOPLE, the network announced that the actor, 39, has been cast as young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, originally portrayed by Mark Harmon, in the next installment of the crime-fighting franchise, titled NCIS: Origins.

The series, which has been ordered for the 2024-2025 broadcast season, will begin in 1991 and tell the story of the years before NCIS. The story will follow Gibbs as he “begins his career as a newly minted special agent” in a “tough, scrappy team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.”

Austin Stowell in New York on September 28, 2022.

Dave Kotinsky/Peacock via Getty

Everything you need to know NCIS Season 21

While Stowell will take on the role of Gibbs on screen, Harmon will reprise his original role and narrate the series.

Harmon, 72, starred on NCIS as Leroy Jethro Gibbs since the series premiere in 2003. He left the series in 2021 after 19 seasons on the show.

While speaking with PEOPLE in November 2023, Harmon revealed that his desire to be more of a presence at home was the biggest factor in taking on his longtime role.

“It’s interesting because the original decision to do the series was because I was traveling a lot making movies and stuff and I was trying to stay home more with a young family,” he recalled. “And then the first day on this show I worked 10 hours — and there were a lot of long days like that.”

But his 19-season run eventually boiled down to a more steady fatherly presence, “I could have made breakfast on the weekend. I’m not going to complain about any of that,” he said.

Mark Harmon in ‘NCIS’. Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Cast NCIS: Where are they now?

On the other hand, Stowell is known for his roles in A friend of the family and The game of hate starring opposite Lucy Hale. It also appeared in a limited edition, Catch 22starring alongside George Clooney, Chris Abbott and Hugh Laurie.

His other credits include Steven Spielberg Amazing stories and public morals, as well as Battle of the sexes next to Emma Stone, Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks, 12 Strong opposite Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon and lash with JK Simmons.

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NCIS: Origins Harmon, Sean Harmon, David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal will executive produce. North and Monreal will also co-write the premiere episode, in addition to serving as hosts.

Premiere date for NCIS: Origins not yet published.

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Source: HIS Education