NCIS' Mark Harmon thinks Austin Stowell is the perfect young Gibbs (and here's why)

NCIS: Origins is heading into uncharted territory. Sure, NCIS has rolled out multiple spinoffs, but Origins will mark the first time the franchise attempts a prequel series. It's also going to roll the dice on depicting the most recognizable character in series history: Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Origins is going to live or die by how convincingly it depicts the early years of the NCIS veteran. Mark Harmon gave such an indelible performance as Gibbs, and for so long, that any actor who steps into his shoes will have to contend with scrutiny from fans.

Mark Harmon felt that Stowell exuded "calm"

Luckily, Austin Stowell seems up to the challenge. The actor not only lines up perfectly with the age of the character circa 1991, but he's received a crucial co-sign from the OG Gibbs himself. Mark Harmon gushed about Stowell's acting prowess during a recent interview with Parade.

For Harmon, who also serves as an executive producer and narrator on NCIS: Origins, the key to casting young Gibbs was finding someone who exuded a sense of calm. Gibbs is many things, but coolness, particularly under pressure, is arguably his most defining trait. It's something Harmon made a point of in his portrayal, and subsequently found in Stowell's.

"I always thought there was a calm that was important," Harmon explained, before elaborating on the importance of presence" versus appearance. It’s a lot for an actor to come into a room with that kind of a burden of a load to try to say, ‘Can I physically look like that person? Can I be that person?’ I thought Austin just was himself.

Origins co-showrunner has declared Stowell a "star"

Harmon recalled having a lightbulb moment alongside NCIS: Origins showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal:

"He walked out of the room, and she said, 'That guy is a star.' That’s what she said. The truth of it is he lit the room... That’s what we’ve done."

We can't imagine a better seal of approval than that. Gibbs will always be associated with Harmon, but if Stowell can successfully pick up the mantle, then he will be etched into the history of procedural TV alongside his predecessor.

NCIS: Origins will premiere October 14 on CBS.