Origins has brought Kyle Schmid into focus, playing a younger version of Gibbs' mentor Mike Franks as he starts out as a special agent.

The prequel to the iconic crime series landed on UK's following its US premiere in October 2024, offering fans a glimpse into Agent Gibbs' (portrayed by Austin Stowell) past before the flagship series kicked off in 2003.

Portraying a rough-but-principled young Mike Franks, Kyle Schmid captures the essence of the character initially made famous by Muse Watson, sparking curiosity among viewers about the backstory of the NCIS Origins talent.

Toronto-born in 1984, Schmid spent his upbringing with his sister Rachel, their mother, and step-father, while their biological father lived farther north.

Embarking on a child modelling career and featuring in TV spots, Schmid nurtured a love for soccer, representing squads like Erin Mills Soccer Club.

Destiny, however, had a twist in store just as he considered dedicating himself entirely to athletics over acting.

In an interview with Sci Fi and TV Talk, Schmid recollects: "I played very high-level soccer in high school and during that time my mom also got me interested in the acting industry.

"However, it was something I did for fun and never really thought it would take off or lead to anything serious.

"Then when I was 17-years-old I broke my leg, which more or less ended my chances of a soccer career, but at the same time they say that everything happens for a reason."

It was then producer Debra Martin Chase, who has worked on films like The Princess Diaries and The Cheetah Girls, who encouraged him to pursue acting.

Schmid recalled: "I laughed and said, 'This is a hobby. It's a way for me to make a little money to save for university.'

"She said, 'No, you're good. You've got something.' Debra had me go to Los Angeles where she introduced me to a great acting coach who taught me just how far you can go with exploring your craft.

"Since then, this [acting] is something I've fallen in love with and been very passionate about."

Since the mid noughties, Schmid has gone on to appear in projects like Blood Ties, Copper, Being Human, Six, Big Sky and Lost Girl, just to name a few.

Schmid first met his wife actress Caity Lotz while they were filming DC's Legends of Tomorrow together in Vancouver and were set up on a date by friends in February 2021.

Lotz has starred in a number of high profile shows including playing Stephanie Horton in AMC's Mad Men, Annie in The Pact, Sara Lance in The CW's Arrowverse and Kirsten Landry in MTV's mockumentary Death Valley.

Schmid and Lotz went on to get engaged in May 2022 and got married the following year in Colombia.

Tragedy struck the family in 2023 when the 40-year-old's mum passed away from lung cancer after it metastasized to her brain, with a tumour being found around Christmas 2022.

Recalling the build-up to his mother's death on Instagram, he shared: "I remember giving her a big hug. I then went down to my room and I cried."

"It was the first I recognized my mother's mortality. You see, my mom was a bad ass barn-b***h, she's brave and courageous, but that doesn't help when your treatments make it nearly impossible to eat or drink.

"In October she started the next treatment - chemo every three weeks for the next two years. It was a daunting undertaking.

"She was tired and weak, but every once in a while we'd talk and she'd pipe up with this bit of energy and it make me wonder (if only for a moment) if this had all just been a dream."

He concluded his post with a heartfelt tribute to his mother: "She encouraged me to become an actor and helped me to be brave in the face of teenage insecurities. She poured herself into our lives as a mother.

"To be surrounded by family was all you ever wanted and on that last day you were. I will forever and always miss you ma."

NCIS Origins is available to watch on Paramount+ in the UK.