‘NCIS’ Prequel Series ‘Origins’ Casts Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks

“NCIS: Origins” has added Kyle Schmid to the cast, joining previously announced cast members Austin Stowell and Mariel Molina. The upcoming drama series, scheduled for the 2024-25 season, serves as a prequel to CBS’ long-running military procedural “NCIS.”

Schmid will play special agent Mike Franks, who was originally played by Muse Watson in “NCIS.” The character is described as “a proud Texan who all but showers in his cowboy boots and sports a perfectly coiffed mustache that’s as thick as his skin. As ‘NCIS’ fans know all too well, Franks is a born leader with an unwavering moral compass who’s determined to find justice by any means necessary.”

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Set in 1991, “NCIS: Origins” stars Stowell as a young version of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the special agent played in the original series by Mark Harmon. Narrated by Harmon, the prequel sees Gibbs start his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office where he forges his place on a ragtag team led by Franks. Molina plays special agent Lala Dominguez.

Harmon executive produces alongside his son Sean Harmon as well as Gina Lucia Monreal and David North. Monreal and North, who worked on the original show, serve as co-showrunners. CBS is the studio.

Schmid is best known for leading roles in the History Channel military drama “Six,” the BBC America historical epic “Copper,” Syfy’s “Being Human” and the Netflix miniseries “The I-Lang.” He also held a recurring role in the ABC drama “Big Sky.” He is repped by Mainstay Entertainment.

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