Austin Stowell teases Gibbs' dynamic with his father in NCIS: Origins

Expect a much different take on the relationship between Gibbs and his dad on NCIS: Origins, according to Austin Stowell!

NCIS: Origins is one of the most anticipated new shows of the fall. It's basically "Young Gibbs," with Mark Harmon narrating and making a brief appearance as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Surprisingly, the former NCIS boss left the show in season 19 and has returned despite the fans' hopes that he'll be back. 

The new series flashes back to 1991 to show a younger Gibbs (Austin Stowell), still reeling from the deaths of his wife and daughter, joining NCIS and slowly becoming the agent we know. Speaking to TV Insider, Austin Stowell shared how this take on Gibbs is far different from the man fans later come to know and love.

"We're going to see someone who's emotional, who's lashing out at times, who's jumpy and also considering every option. And I think that also includes the ultimate option. This is someone who's already tried to take his own life and is getting a second chance from it and doesn't want to spoil that. I think that's very alive in the Gibbs that I'm portraying. This is obviously so different from the version that NCIS fans have seen for 19 years and this wonderful character that Mark Harmon has created that does, of course, have this backstory and there's moments of it, but this is a character who is living in that, who's living in the grief, who's living in the dark hole and trying to dig himself out of it. And so this is a character that's really fun to play because this is the guy who threw up his hands at one point to give up and is now ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work and find new passion."

This is an intriguing new direction as fans are used to the elder Gibbs who's always in control. Seeing him as basically the "Tony" of the team getting bossed around will be a bit jarring but will also explain Gibbs's evolution over the years.

Gibbs is mentored by veteran agent Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), who tries to help Gibbs get out of his dark mood. Yet there's another prime relationship in the show that puts Gibbs' feelings front and center.

How do Gibbs and his dad get along on NCIS: Origins?

One of the most loved characters on NCIS is Gibbs's father, Jackson. Played by TV veteran Ralph Waite, the elder Gibbs could put his son in his place and while they had a contentious relationship, they overcame years of resentment to be on good terms. The chemistry between Harmon and Waite was wonderful so fans bought them as father and son as they mended their troubled past.

Waite sadly passed away in 2014, with the season 11 finale having Jackson passing away as well, which deeply rocked Gibbs. In Origins, Jackson will be played by Robert Taylor, and Stowell explains that it's still a tense relationship with Gibbs, who is trying to push people away.

"I think behind every argument usually is an element of love because if you didn't care, you'd walk out. If you didn't care, you wouldn't say anything. I think the moments that you're speaking of, these arguments, only represent a desire for love, a desire to be heard, a desire to feel like you exist, especially to someone as important to you as a father. Robert Taylor, who's playing my dad, is just killer. He brings so much to this character that is also dealing with his own method of grief. I can only imagine, and I certainly don't have a daughter-in-law or a granddaughter, but I've lost family members and that would be just as torturous for him."

While Gibbs and Jackson were supposed to be estranged for years, the show seems to indicate they did talk a bit more than either let on. It will be an interesting dynamic with both younger and Gibbs much angrier, yet his dad is still trying to help him like any father would.

Thus, fans can expect a much different take on Gibbs and his family dynamic to make NCIS: Origins a more compelling watch.

NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, Oct. 14 at 9/8c with a two hour premiere on CBS. The series will move to 10 p.m. on Oct. 21. Stay tuned to Americans Undercover for coverage. Follow us on X and Facebook for more content.