NCIS: Origins is introducing a new face to the series in the form of Mason Franks, the older brother of Mike Franks, who is played by Kyle Schmid. Fans may recognize actor Philip Winchester from the One Chicago universe. What brings Mason back into his estranged brother’s life?
For most of the first season, fans thought Mike had lost his brother after they both went to Vietnam. This was mainly due to Mike commenting on not having a brother despite a flashback episode proving otherwise, and his being mentioned in the original NCIS series in its early years.
However, after the Season 1 finale left Mike’s story on a cliffhanger, it looks like we’ll get some answers when Mason appears in the fourth episode, as per Deadline.
How will Mike Franks's brother be involved in NCIS: Origins season 2?
Mason is described as being “an honorable man” who had been taking care of the family farm his whole life. However, he is now in danger of losing the ranch and is turning to his younger brother for assistance.
There is no indication of why the two men stopped speaking, although we know that at one point they both married the same woman. So is this what caused a rift or did something else occur?
Winchester may be best known for his role as ADA Peter Stone on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, but he also appeared in Chicago Med and Chicago PD. He was also part of the short-lived series Chicago Justice in 2017.
It’s unknown how many episodes he will appear in on NCIS: Origins, but this will likely provide some more fun backstory for Mike as we learn more about his younger years.
When the show returns, we’ll find out about other characters, too, including the answer to whether Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez survived her injuries in a car accident sustained in the Season 1 finale.
Plus, we also saw a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs meet the woman who would become his second wife, Diane Sterling. Other tidbits we’ve learned about Season 2 involve an appearance from Adam Campbell as a young Doctor Donald “Ducky” Mallard, and a crossover with the original NCIS set to air on November 11, 2025.
The closer we get to the season premiere and we learn more about what is happening, the more exciting everything appears to be as we get more updates!
NCIS: Origins premieres on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 9/8c on a new night after the premiere of NCIS. The episodes will air the next day on Paramount+.