NCIS Origins sees actor Kyle Schmid embody the younger counterpart of Gibbs’ mentor Mike Franks when he first became a special agent.

The series has made its way to the UK on Paramount+ after debuting in the US in October 2024, giving fans an insight into Agent Gibbs’ (played by Austin Stowell) life before the mothership drama began in 2003.

While rough around the edges, Mike is a dedicated leader with a strong moral compass and someone that is respected by his friends and colleagues, even though they don’t always see eye to eye.

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And with Schmid stepping into this key role which was initially brought to life by actor Muse Watson, fans are curious to know all that they can about the NCIS Origins star.

Born in 1984 in Toronto, Canada, Schmid and his sister Rachel lived with their mum and step-father with their dad residing further north.

Schmid was a child model and appeared in commercials but his real passion was with football, playing for different teams including with the Erin Mills Soccer Club.

But fate stepped in when he had planned to focus all of his attention on the sport rather than pursuing an acting career.

Schmid told Sci Fi and TV Talk: “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 .

The pair welcomed their first child, a daughter whose name has not been publicly shared, in September 2024.

It was in 2023 that the 40-year-old experienced true heartbreak as his mum had died from lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain with a brain tumour being discovered around 2022.

He opened up on about the build-up to her death, sharing what happened as she powered through chemotherapy: “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.”

Schmid went on to pay tribute to his beloved mum: “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 continues every Thursday on Paramount+ in the UK.