NCIS’ Young Gibbs Prequel Recasting: Why Isn’t Mark Harmon’s Son Returning?

The upcoming NCIS: Origins prequel series has officially recast Mark Harmon’s son, Sean Harmon as young Leroy Jethro Gibbs with Austin Stowell. Why?

The upcoming NCIS prequel series, NCIS: Origins, has recast Sean Harmon to play young Leroy Jethro Gibbs despite brilliantly playing the character in the main show. CBS’ new expansion show will tackle Gibbs’ early years with the organization, tracking his arc until he is given his team, as seen in the series’ debut year. Specific details about the project are still being kept under wraps, but it is expected to premiere during the 2024-2025 TV season on CBS. Despite the lack of updates, production is quietly progressing, as proven by the newly announced casting news.

As reported, A Friend of the Family and The Hating Game star, Austin Stowell has been confirmed to play the lead role in NCIS: Origins. The casting shouldn’t have come as a surprise, considering that the initial brief for the young Gibbs spinoff established that it would bring in a new actor to step into the shoes of the iconic TV character that Mark Harmon portrayed for two decades. That being said, it doesn’t explain why there was a need for a recast in the first place since Sean Harmon brilliantly played his father’s character several times in NCIS.

Why Sean Harmon Is Replaced As Young Gibbs In NCIS: Origins

There weren’t regular updates regarding the casting process for the new Gibbs in the new NCIS prequel. However, Stowell being chosen as the next actor to step into the shoes of the character has raised questions about why Sean Harmon just didn’t return to play the part. For context, the actor portrayed young Gibbs a total of seven times in NCIS. Whenever the police procedural had to delve deep into his backstory, the young Harmon played the part. Not only was the young Harmon great in the role, but he also resembled his dad, which was great for maintaining continuity.

While there hasn’t been any official reason for why a young Gibbs had to be recast, there are several possible reasons for it. Firstly, Sean Harmon may be busy with other endeavors. While he doesn’t have a regular TV show like his dad did, he is also active in the industry as an actor and stunt coordinator. If NCIS: Origins runs half as long as its parent series, it would need an actor who can fully devote his time to the project. Secondly, CBS may have wanted to bring someone entirely new to the role, and Stowell fits the bill.

How Sean Harmon Is Involved In NCIS Gibbs Prequel

Despite not returning to the screen as young Gibbs, Sean Harmon will remain involved in the upcoming NCIS prequel series. He will co-executive produce it with his father. This may also be partly the reason why he didn’t reprise the role, choosing to focus on the behind-the-scenes. Likely, he was part of the casting group that chose his successor, as well. As someone who previously played the same character and is related in real life to Mark Harmon, Sean could be vital in Stowell’s preparation to take on one of the most popular TV characters in the last few decades.