Despite ‘heavy competition’ for the role, Harmon knew Stowell was a star when he saw him.

There was heavy competition there, Harmon recalled.

There were a lot of good people.

Austin Stowell and Mark Harmon attend CBS' Fall Schedule Celebration at Paramount Studios on May 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Austin Stowell and Mark Harmon in 2024.Monica Schipper/Getty

I would say that there were really few who drew the attention Austin did.

We got everybody we wanted."

Speaking toEntertainment Weeklyin September,NCISwriter and executive producer David J.

NCIS: ORIGINS

Austin Stowell in ‘NCIS: Origins’.Greg Gayne/CBS

North said theOriginsteam “just knew when Austin came in that he was Gibbs… “I just want to give everything to this.

I know what it means to the fans.

I know what Gibbs represents to a whole lot of people out there.

NCIS: Originspremieres Monday, Oct. 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, and streaming on Paramount+.