Origins’ star Austin Stowell is the man behind the younger version of the iconic Agent Gibbs but what do we know about him?
NCIS Origins first hit US screens in October 2024 and now it’s time for UK fans to see how the prequel unfolds with the first two episodes premiering on Thursday, 13th March, on .
Set in 1991, Gibbs (portrayed by Stowell) embarks on a new career as an agent at NIS, which later became NCIS, following the tragic murder of his wife Shannon and daughter Kelly.
Under the stern leadership of Special Agent Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid), Gibbs must quickly adapt while still grappling with the loss of his family.
As the prequel finally arrives in the UK, here’s all you need to know about Gibbs star Austin Stowell.
Starting Out
Born as the youngest of three sons in Kensington, Connecticut, Stowell was brought up by his retired steelworker father Robert and teacher mother Elizabeth.
He went to Berlin High School before graduating from the University of Connecticut in 2007 and the following year, Stowell made the move to Los Angeles to chase his acting dream.
In his early days, Stowell resorted to sleeping on his agents’ floor, taking on odd jobs like bar work for two years and even caddying for actor and comedian Bill Murray, as reported by Variety.
Inside NCIS Origins star Austin Stowell’s life from ‘personal trauma’ to Vampire Diaries romance (Image: PARAMOUNT PLUS)
Actor Austin Stowell was in a relationship with Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev in 2015. (Image: GETTY)
Stowell had minor roles in shows such as Secret Girlfriend, NCIS LA and 90210, but his big break came with the role of Jesse in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, a character he portrayed for two years.
Since then, Stowell has graced the screen in films like Dolphin Tale alongside Morgan Freeman, Whiplash, Bridge of Spies, Battle of the Sexes, The Hating Game and Three Women, to name just a few.
Romance
The star of NCIS Origins’ most high-profile romance was back in 2015 when he was romantically linked to Vampire Diaries actress Nina Dobrev.
The couple were first seen together in June, but it wasn’t until months later at the premiere of Bridge of Spies that they made their red carpet debut as a couple.
Unfortunately, their relationship didn’t stand the test of time, with a source telling People magazine that they decided to part ways due to “it started to get hard with both of their schedules”, while adding that the stars remained “still on good terms”.
Dobrev is now engaged to Olympic gold medallist Shaun White, while Stowell remains single, choosing instead to concentrate on his current passion project, NCIS Origins.
He humorously told People: “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.”
Personal trauma
In 2020, tragedy struck the 40-year-old actor’s family when his father tragically took his own life after battling mental health issues for many years.
In an emotional message, the star penned: “Dad, I love you and miss you but I know how hard you tried to express your deep well of love to almost anyone you met.
“I am all the best parts of you and now I have you with me every step of my journey through life.
Actor Austin Stowell starred as Jesse in The Secret Life of the American Teenager in 2009. (Image: FREEFORM)
Actor Austin Stowell posted a heartfelt tribute to his dad who died in 2020. (Image: INSTAGRAM/AUSTIN STOWELL)
“I will do my best to be the man you taught me to be: open and willing to bare myself and my love to the world. Save a barstool for me…someday we’ll cheers and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Last year, Stowell opened up once more to Us Weekly about his father’s passing, divulging that he used his “personal trauma” in portraying Gibbs.
“I get to tap into that all the time and I get to exercise those emotions.
“I get to revisit them in some ways that four years ago would’ve been too fresh, too much and too emotional for me to touch upon.
“I think because I’ve had some time and space, I was more prepared to play this character than I would’ve been four years ago.
“It informs me because I have gone through what the stages of grief are like. Certainly through the first 10 episodes that we’ve filmed now, the audience is getting the full gamut of emotion [with Gibbs].”
Looking ahead
The actor who brings young Gibbs to life has his sights set on returning for NCIS Origins’ second season and other projects.
He’s currently immersed in filming the thriller This Tempting Madness, currently in post-production, in which he co-stars with Bridgerton sensation Simone Ashley.
The recently wrapped up drama, The Long Home, features a gripping plot where a young contractor is unwittingly employed to construct a “honky-tonk in Tennessee by the man who killed his father”.
The star-studded cast of The Long Home boasts names like James Franco, Josh Hartnett, Lip Tipton, and Giancarlo Esposito alongside Austin Stowell.
NCIS Origins is available to watch on Paramount+ UK.