NCIS: Origins Kyle Schmid Shares Mark Harmon’s Advice About Franks Role
Kyle Schmid, Mark Harmons
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images(2)Kyle Schmid he fully embraced his role as “hippie cowboy” Mike Franks on NCIS: The Originsthanks for their advice Mark Harmon again Muse Watson.
“When I got the role, Mark Harmon contacted me and I was lucky enough to know him well,” Schmid, 40, told Self. Us Weekly. “He put me in touch with Muse, Muse and I clicked.”
Watson, 76, appeared NCIS as the first Mike Franks, who is the mentor of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Harmon, 73, portrayed Gibbs in the flagship series from 2003 to 2021, while Watson had a recurring role from mid-2006 to 2017.
Schmid has now filled Watson’s shoes as the “brutal” character in the prequel series, which premiered in October. NCIS: The Origins transports viewers back in time to the ’90s when Gibbs (Austin Stowell) begins working at NIS – which later became NCIS – in California under the direction of Franks.
“There was something about who [Muse] He was a very close person to me. I think we see the world in the same way,” said Schmid Us his connection to OG Franks. “I have a big heart. Muse has a big heart. The reason I came to Hollywood was to try to do a good job and talk about everything with integrity and pride. That is how Muse worked and continued to live his life. “
The actor noted that he thinks Franks also has many of those qualities despite being a “dinosaur” in many ways. “He doesn’t do anything. Everything is one hundred percent. “You see him take the weight of everyone around him,” Schmid said of the young Franks. “You see the way he drives these cases, they say something to him. They are not light.”
To successfully portray Franks, whom he described as an “old school” man with a “big heart,” Schmid looked to Watson.
Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks.
Sonja Flemming/CBS“Muse said to me, he is leaving, ‘You know what? Just do a good job. Believe in yourself and believe in the character,’” he recalled. “And other than that, all I needed was to grow a mustache and work on the dialect with Muse. It was easy enough to talk to him and talk to him, I got some flexibility.”
Harmon – executive producer and narrator NCIS: The Origins – He also contributed to the evolution of Schmid as a show leader.
“Mark’s involvement in this program has made him a lot better. He always says, ‘Trust your gut. You are here for a reason. You got the role, now just run with it,’” Schmid said Us. “Mark was always very encouraging. Which I think, surprisingly, was exactly what I needed to get into the franchise. “
He remembered hearing Harmon’s words when he took on the challenge of playing a well-known character in a new way.
“[I thought]’Okay, you got it. You’re here for a reason, man. You don’t need to do anything else. You need to fasten your seat belt, you know? Because we will ride and it will be good,’” explained Schmid, noting, “Mark recognized me as a good person who was lucky to find my place in a great team. .”
Schmid admitted that she was “not sure” how to go about the process, but has since embraced the Franks character, fighting her emotions and apologizing.
Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks.
Erik Voake/CBS“It is difficult for him to say the right things and not be blunt at times. But at the same time, for me, in this hippie cowboy way, Mike has a big heart in the room all the time, and he loves boldly,” he said. “You carry the weight of other people’s lives, and you trust. That’s like the hippo in him. That loving person with this ugly exterior, this rusty weapon.”
Although Schmid feels connected to Franks in many ways, he is very vocal about his feelings. In fact, Schmid is partnering with Movember — which preserves Franks’ mustache — and Gillette this month to help break the stigma surrounding mental health.
“I work in an industry where we are celebrated for being vulnerable. And in wearing our hearts on our sleeves, we leave ourselves very open to emotional ups and downs,” explained Schmid, elaborating that he was sober after four years of losing friends to drug abuse and suicide.
CBS Broadcast The NCIS universe is getting bigger in 2024 thanks to the upcoming prequel series, NCIS: Origins. CBS announced on Friday, January 7, that the show about the story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (previously played by Mark Harmon) has received a direct series order for the 2024-2025 broadcast season. “We are happy and honored […]
He went on to say, “I have seen how all the other obstacles people in my life have come down and had an impact on [my family]. I have a daughter [and] I don’t want him to grow up in the place where I grew up. And a big part of the change is shining a light on mental health, making it a conversation that is often had and celebrated. “
Schmid hopes to help people understand that it’s “OK to be wrong” by working with friends and family, including her assistants, to “raise money, raise awareness.”
The actor, who told Us now he is “fulfilled” and “happy” to work in such a great program NCIS: The Originshe added that there are rewards available for those who donate.
“I would like people to go to the Paramount lot and show them around and give them a private tour,” he said. “There is a signed pair of Mike Franks cowboy boots up for grabs and autographs. We’ve got people coming out of the woodwork to support this. And I can’t tell you how grateful I am to them.”
For more information about Schmid’s Movember mental health awareness campaign, click here.
NCIS: The Origins airs on CBS Mondays at 10 pm ET.
