Kyle Schmid, who plays Mike Franks on NCIS: Origins, has embraced his role as the “hippie cowboy” character with the help of advice from Mark Harmon and Muse Watson. Harmon, who portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the flagship series, connected Schmid with Watson, who played the original Mike Franks on NCIS. Schmid describes Watson as someone who resonated with him on a personal level, as both of them approach their work with integrity and pride. Despite Franks being portrayed as a “dinosaur” in many ways on the show, Schmid believes the character has a big heart and is dedicated to his work.
To successfully portray Franks, Schmid looked to Watson for guidance. The veteran actor advised him to believe in himself and in the character and to do good work. Schmid also received support and encouragement from Harmon, who is an executive producer on NCIS: Origins. Harmon’s advice to the actor was to trust his gut and to run with the role. Despite initial uncertainty about taking on a procedural show, Schmid has embraced the character of Franks, who struggles with expressing his emotions and apologizing. He describes Franks as having a big heart and always taking on the weight of others’ lives.
Schmid, who is involved in raising awareness for mental health issues, is teaming up with Movember and Gillette to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health. He has been sober for four years and is passionate about sharing his experiences and working with others to raise awareness and funds. Schmid believes that it’s important to be open about mental health struggles and hopes to create a more open dialogue about the topic. He is grateful for the support he has received from friends and family in his efforts to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives.
The actor is focused on making a positive impact through his work on NCIS: Origins and hopes to inspire others to be open about their struggles. He is urging people to understand that it’s okay not to be okay and that seeking help is important. In addition to his work on the show, Schmid is actively involved in promoting mental health awareness and fundraising efforts. He is offering prizes for those who donate to support the cause and is grateful for the support he has received from those who believe in the mission. Schmid is fulfilled and happy to be working on a show like NCIS: Origins and hopes to continue making a difference through his work.
For those interested in supporting Schmid’s Movember mission for mental health awareness, more information can be found on the official Movember website. NCIS: Origins airs on CBS on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET, allowing viewers to follow the adventures of Mike Franks and his colleagues as they navigate cases and relationships in the ’90s setting of the show. Schmid’s dedication to his role and his commitment to raising awareness for mental health make him a valuable advocate for those struggling with similar issues.
