What does Mark Harmon really think about NCIS: ORIGINS?

Published: November 13, 2024

What does Mark Harmon really think about NCIS: ORIGINS?

By Movieguide® staff

Mark Harmon may not have a major acting role on NCIS: ORIGINS, but he’s still very involved.

In an interview with Parade, he reflected on his role as the show’s narrator.

“It was fun because both [showrunners] Gina [Lucita Monreal] and David [J. North] I have a long history with the show and I’ve known both of them for a long time,” he said. “So since I was doing the narration, I was always there, so that wasn’t a surprise. What’s the surprise when talking about Gibbs? Sometimes I don’t have a lot to do in an episode, and sometimes I have a whole lot of things to do, and that means putting words in a character’s mouth that traditionally say 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 was very happy with the decision to cast Austin Stowell as young Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

“We are happy with the cast,” he said. “Austin is a good boy and a nice actor. I think back to all the weeks we spent in casting offices putting this cast together and we couldn’t be happier with this cast, but at the same time I think back to the original show, let’s say the first four years, and the design of the show and how many changes there were in the first four years. There have been big changes and you assume that it won’t be any different, that there will be changes.”

Harmon’s son Sean Harmon, executive producer of ORIGINS, previously spoke about how young Gibbs differs from his father’s version.

“The character of Gibbs has resonated with audiences worldwide because he is both a role model and someone they 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 temperate version of him. Fans can look forward to a more intimate look at what Gibbs is all about and meet some of the characters who have influenced him along the way.”

READ MORE: NCIS: ORIGINS IS “GRITTER” THAN ITS PRECESSOR. Is it worth a watch?

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

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