Austin Stowell’s journey in the world of “NCIS” kicks off with a spectacular beginning.

At 39, the rugged actor had attempted to clear his mind following his audition in February for “NCIS: Origins,” the anticipated prequel series to the CBS police procedural, which starts airing on Monday at 9 EDT/PDT right after the original series’ 22nd season premiere. With such high stakes at play, he was vying for the highly sought-after role of young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a character originally portrayed by Mark Harmon for 19 successful seasons. Gibbs is the character in the “NCIS” universe and even after his retirement to pursue fly-fishing in Alaska in 2021, the impact of the character remains strong.

To unwind, Stowell took a skiing trip with his best friend and agent, Charlie Jennings. The ski getaway was blissful until Stowell received an unexpected message while halfway up the mountain, alerting him that Harmon—who serves as an executive producer and narrator for “Origins”—wanted to talk.

“Mark wanted to talk with me, and you can guess what it was about,” shares Stowell, recalling the thrill of going off the grid. “We had to hurry down the mountain to get a reliable cell signal. We rush down, take off our ski gear, jump into the Jeep, and speed down the road to catch a signal. We did, and then Mark called. We literally pulled over on the side of the road.”

In that conversation, Harmon indicated that Stowell would very likely land the role of a younger version of Gibbs in “NCIS: Origins.”

“Mark was really supportive. He told me, ‘It’s been you from the moment you entered the room,'” said Stowell. “And he asked me, ‘Are you ready for this?'”

Austin Stowell reflects on ‘Star Wars’ audition setback: ‘Onward!’

And indeed, he is ready. Stowell has been preparing for this moment since he got a guest spot on “NCIS: Los Angeles” back in 2010 and starred as a kind-hearted swimming champion in the “A Dolphin Tale” movies alongside Kris Kristofferson. (“He was incredible; a true real-life superhero,” Stowell mentioned, reflecting on the music legend, who passed away last month at age 88).

Stowell even had a serious shot at a significant role in a “Star Wars” film directed by J.J. Abrams. He was flown to London’s Pinewood Studios, where he spent a day in costume and makeup. Unfortunately, the role ultimately went to someone else. “Of course, it’s heartbreaking,” Stowell admitted. “This profession can be challenging, but I’ve always maintained the same attitude: ‘Onward.'”

Thanks to Abrams, he got introduced to his mentor, Steven Spielberg, which led to Stowell playing U-2 spy pilot Francis Gary Powers in Spielberg’s 2015 film “Bridge of Spies.” This opportunity led him to roles such as Billie Jean King’s husband (Emma Stone) in the historical tennis drama “Battle of the Sexes” and the charming Josh Templeman in the rom-com “The Hating Game,” positioning him as a front-runner for the role in “NCIS: Origins.”

Austin Stowell was almost unreachable after auditioning for ‘NCIS: Origins’: ‘Totally Gibbs’

After his standout audition, “Origins” executive producers Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North experienced familiar troubles trying to officially offer Stowell the role. “He was in a cabin deep in the woods without internet, and almost missed our offer call,” North shared. “I hung up the phone and thought, ‘That is so Gibbs of him.’

“One phone call can change your life. I nearly missed two life-changing calls. Luck was on my side,” said Stowell.

Monreal mentioned that Stowell’s physical resemblance to Harmon was crucial. However, “Origins” places Gibbs in 1991, portraying a young Naval Investigative Service officer stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, grappling with the trauma of losing his wife and daughter. Stowell was able to embody the depth needed for this role, showcasing a soulful look reminiscent of Gibbs.

“In this ‘Origins’ portrayal, Gibbs is not the highly competent special agent we’ve come to know. He is a raw rookie facing his own demons after failing critical psychological evaluations. This poignant backstory was inspired by NCIS lore, which motivated Harmon’s son, Sean, who had previously played young Gibbs in “NCIS” flashbacks, to pitch the idea for “Origins” as an executive producer,” Monreal explained.

Young Gibbs gains instant allies in “Origins,” including Special Agent Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino) and his future mentor Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), who steals scenes with his mustache. “He’s just electrifying,” Stowell remarked. “I joke with him about how we’ll surely see Franks’ mustache at Halloween parties.”

Stowell immersed himself in research, studying the history of the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1980s.

Stowell has been going through manuals to grasp both life skills and the challenges of doing long runs with a heavily loaded backpack. He has enhanced his rifle training picked up from Chris Hemsworth’s 2018 movie, “12 Strong,” which depicts the Afghanistan war, so he can handle Gibbs’ rifle with quiet assurance. Additionally, Stowell often watches “NCIS” episodes to familiarize himself with subtle gestures.

“I aim to capture his spirit. There are specific ‘Gibbs-isms,'” Stowell mentions. “He has a certain nod and a distinct stare.”

The stare, combined with Harmon’s striking blue eyes, is so important that Stowell wears blue contact lenses to cover his naturally green eyes. This color change impacts his outlook: “They affect how I feel,” he explains. “It’s a significant advantage.”

Harmon is seen near a campfire in the “Origins” intro, with the camera tightening its focus on his intense gaze that seamlessly transitions into Stowell’s distressed expression.

“This isn’t just about passing the crown; Mark Harmon retains the crown,” Stowell clarifies. “If it’s about passing the torch, then he ignited the flame. It’s my role to depict how this young man evolves into someone that others hold in high regard. Plus, I get to portray one of the greatest heroes ever, and that’s pretty exciting.”