Mark Harmon had no doubts—Austin Stowell was the perfect choice to play young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS: Origins. At Stowell’s very first audition, Harmon, who serves as an executive producer on the prequel series, instantly felt the energy shift in the room. “I felt the room jump,” Harmon recalled, emphasizing how Stowell effortlessly captured the essence of the character he played for nearly two decades. Fans of NCIS are excited to see how Stowell brings Gibbs’ early years to life, with Harmon’s stamp of approval only fueling the anticipation for the new series.