Mason Franks has been found: Philip Winchester (fka Law & Order: SVU ADA Peter Stone) has been tapped to recur opposite Kyle Schmid in NCIS: Origins Season 2 as Mike’s brother, TVLine has confirmed.
“Franks obviously has a bit of a tumultuous relationship with his brother Mason, and we’ll pick that up where we left off in the finale, where they’re still struggling to reconnect,” co-showrunner David J. North told TVLine as part of our Fall Preview package. “Early on in the season, we will see that materialize.”
In Season 1, Episode 11, NCIS: Origins flashed back to a 21-year-old Mike Franks. After he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, Mason urged Michael to flee to Mexico, but Michael did not fancy himself a draft dodger. Ultimately, Mason met his brother halfway and volunteered to go to war with him.
That was all we knew, leaving audiences to speculate that Mason died in the war. But towards the end of Origins’ freshman finale, Franks’ phone rang at home — and it was Mason on the other line.
Winchester will first appear in Episode 4. Mike’s older brother is described by CBS as “a Texas-tough cowboy who has recently hit rock bottom. Mason is an honorable man who has fallen on hard times and is desperately trying to keep from losing the family ranch. His desperation leads him to seek help from his estranged little brother.”
NCIS: Origins Season 2 premieres on a new night, Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 9 pm. CBS previously released the logline for the first episode back, which reads: “Gibbs and Franks investigate the disappearance of a young Marine connected to a mysterious compound with a charismatic leader, and Lala’s fate is revealed.”
In addition to his two-season stint on SVU — in a role he originated on the short-lived #OneChicago offshoot Chicago Justice — Winchester’s previous TV credits include Camelot, Crusoe, Fringe, Leopard Skin, The Player and Strike Back.
