Kyle Schmid Receives Mark Harmon’s Tips for Playing Franks in NCIS: Origins

Kyle Schmid, who takes on the role of the “hippie cowboy” Mike Franks in the new series NCIS: Origins, recently opened up about some invaluable advice he received from Mark Harmon, a veteran of the franchise. Schmid, now 40, shared that when he landed the role, Harmon was quick to reach out to him, fostering a supportive relationship that helped him navigate his new character. Schmid expressed, “I was fortunate to get to know Mark really well. He even introduced me to Muse Watson, and we instantly clicked.”

For those unfamiliar, Watson portrayed the original Mike Franks, serving as an influential mentor to Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the iconic character played by Harmon on the flagship NCIS series from 2003 until 2021. Schmid has stepped into this established role for the prequel, which is set in the ’90s, detailing Gibbs’s early career at NIS, the precursor to NCIS.

In his portrayal of Franks, Schmid aims to peel back the layers of this complex character. He noted the focus on an emotionally nuanced version of Franks, stating, “In the episode airing November 4, viewers will see a more vulnerable side of Mike.” Schmid emphasized the shared values he found with Watson, explaining, “Muse has a big heart, and so do I. We both strive for integrity in our work.”

To bring authenticity to Franks, he drew inspiration from Watson’s approach: “Muse advised me to simply do good work and have faith in myself and the character.” Beyond that, Schmid humorously mentioned the practical aspects of his transformation, like growing a mustache and honing the character’s dialect with Watson’s guidance.

Mark Harmon’s influence extends beyond encouragement; he serves as an executive producer and the series narrator. Schmid highlighted that Harmon consistently urges him to trust his instincts: “Mark always tells me, ‘You’re here for a reason. Just go with it,’ which is exactly what I needed as I stepped into this new chapter.”

Embarking on this journey, Schmid initially felt uncertain about adapting to a procedural format. However, he has embraced the character of Franks, who is grappling with his emotions. “He struggles to express himself and can be blunt, but deep down, he’s an incredibly caring individual,” Schmid shared. “Mike carries the burdens of others and is inherently trusting, which reflects his ‘hippie’ spirit.”

While Schmid relates to Franks in certain ways, he takes a more open approach to his feelings. This month, he’s collaborating with Movember to promote mental health awareness while retaining Franks’ iconic mustache. Schmid reflected on the need to break the stigma around mental health, acknowledging his own journey of sobriety after losing friends to addiction and suicide.

Facing the challenges of life in the entertainment industry, Schmid is determined to create a healthier dialogue around mental health. He stated, “It’s vital we make this discussion more common and celebrated.” His long-term goal is to ensure that issues surrounding mental health are viewed as acceptable and important to discuss.

Schmid is excited about his role in NCIS: Origins, exclaiming he feels fulfilled and fortunate to be part of such legacy programming. He hinted at plans for rewarding those who donate to his cause, including exclusive tours of the Paramount lot and opportunities to win signed memorabilia from the show.

With NCIS: Origins airing on CBS every Monday night at 10 p.m. ET, Schmid is poised to not only share the story of Mike Franks but also to advocate for the conversations surrounding mental health—creating a meaningful impact both on screen and off.