Austin Stowell is putting service over self as he prepares to portray a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS: Origins, a prequel to the long-running CBS series NCIS, which originally starred Mark Harmon in the iconic role.
Rather than focusing on his romantic life, Austin is dedicated to fostering strong connections with the cast and crew of the show.
In a lighthearted interview with People published on October 14, the actor joked, “I’m in a relationship with a TV show.
I am here Monday through Friday. Remember those 300 people that I was telling you about? They are all my boyfriends and girlfriends.”
At 39 years old, Austin, who previously dated Degrassi alum Nina Dobrev for seven months before their breakup in February 2016, emphasized that “kindness” will be a key quality he looks for in a future partner.
He remarked, “I think the way that someone treats someone on the street, you can really learn a lot about them in those moments.”
While he may not be focusing on romance at the moment, the Friend of the Family star has formed a solid working relationship with Mark Harmon, who returns to narrate and executive produce the series.
Austin praised Mark’s humility and approachability, sharing, “He always starts off his conversations with, ‘Do you need anything?’ That is so disarming.
The guy is a global superstar. He could make it very uncomfortable for people to be around him.
Certainly for me, stepping into the shoes of the character he created, which has become beloved, and for everybody else that’s around here. He treats everyone with such respect.”
Austin views the opportunity to embody the character that Mark spent 20 years portraying as a true honor.
“I knew I had something inside me that felt very Gibbs-esque,” he reflected. “To be tapped to play the guy is absolutely a confidence booster. It’s something that I take a lot of pride in.”
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