When Summer Hits, NCIS: Origins Takes a Hair-Raising Turn
During the recent summer hiatus, NCIS: Origins stars Austin Stowell and Kyle Schmid radically changed their looks—so much so that fans barely recognized them at CBSFest in May collider.com+13parade.com+13au.lifestyle.yahoo.com+13. Ready to be stunned?
Austin Stowell: Blonde Ambition
From Dark to Light
Austin Stowell, who plays young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, ditched his trademark dark hair for a bold, blonde shade. He retained the short length—thanks to returning to filming—but the color swap was dramaticau.lifestyle.yahoo.commonstersandcritics.com+7parade.com+7au.lifestyle.yahoo.com+7.
Why the Bold Choice?
He wanted to embrace his summer freedom—and make himself nearly unrecognizable. For fans used to Gibbs’s serious, grounded look, the transformation was eye-opening.
Kyle Schmid: Bye-Bye, Mustache
Franks Goes Clean-Shaven
Kyle Schmid, the younger Mike Franks, shaved off his iconic mustache and chopped his hair. The result? A drastically different vibe—more modern and less vintage than his character on-screen .
Why He Went Bare
The mustache is a key part of Franks’s tough-guy persona. Without it, Kyle looked nearly unrecognizable—a playful nod to his transformation during filming breaks.
CBSFest Reveal: A Shock to the Fans
At CBSFest this May, Parade captured the duo’s new looks on the carpet. The contrast between their current style and their on-screen appearances was stark—and fans loved it uproxx.com+6parade.com+6au.lifestyle.yahoo.com+6.
But It’s Temporary—Back to 1992
Back to the Characters
With production resuming soon, both actors are getting back into their on-screen transformations: Stowell for Gibbs’s gritty 1992 look, and Schmid for Franks’s signature mustache and period haircutaol.com+9parade.com+9au.lifestyle.yahoo.com+9.
Actor vs. Role
This summer makeover spotlighted the actors’ difference from their roles, reminding fans that their characters are just that—characters.
Insights from the Actors
Stowell’s Take on Gibbs
Stowell told Parade he’s eager to explore more of Gibbs’s lighter, more jovial side in Season 2—something viewers haven’t seen in the gripping 18 episodes so far au.lifestyle.yahoo.com.
Schmid’s Franks Philosophy
Kyle embraced every detail of playing Mike Franks—mustache included. He even used dark contacts and perfected the vocal intonation to fully embody the role uproxx.com+5aol.com+5reddit.com+5.
Hiatus Style vs. Screen Style
Living in the ’90s
On-screen, the series is locked into 1992, so characters must remain consistent. But off-camera, the stars can show their real selves—a refreshing twist.
The Contrast Is Real
Seeing them so different in real life reminds viewers just how much goes into creating period-accurate characters.
Why Fans Are Obsessed with the Change
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Novelty: Fans love surprise transformations that contrast with on-screen personas.
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Character Appreciation: These changes reinforce admiration for the actors’ dedication.
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Entertainment Factor: It’s fun to see Gibbs and Franks actors stepping out of character.
What This Says About the Actors
Their Versatility
From blonde to mustache, these transformations show their range and willingness to engage with public personas.
Their Commitment
Clearing their typical look to break character off-camera highlights their devotion to roles and respect for the era they’re portraying.
Season 2 Teases and Expectations
With Season 2 filming soon, Stowell hints at deeper character growth—exploring Gibbs’s playful side, while Schmid anticipates even richer dynamics between Franks and Gibbs uproxx.com+7au.lifestyle.yahoo.com+7parade.com+7.
Conclusion
The summer hiatus makeover was a refreshing surprise—a reminder that despite their iconic roles, Austin Stowell and Kyle Schmid are artists off-duty who can reinvent themselves at will. But it’s the return to their rugged, ’90s personas that keeps NCIS: Origins authentic and compelling.
🙋♀️ FAQs
Q1: Why did Austin Stowell bleach his hair blonde?
He wanted a striking summer look and to stand out during hiatus, making him nearly unrecognizablemonstersandcritics.com+8parade.com+8au.lifestyle.yahoo.com+8.
Q2: Did Kyle Schmid keep his mustache?
No, he shaved it off and cut his hair short, transforming his off-screen appearance .
Q3: How do their hiatus looks compare to on-screen characters?
Dramatically different! On-screen they’re deeply rooted in 1992 aesthetics—off-screen, they’re modern and fresh.
Q4: Will their characters change in Season 2?
Stowell teases a lighter, more playful Gibbs, while Schmid suggests more deepening of the Gibbs–Franks bond .
Q5: When does NCIS: Origins Season 2 begin filming?
Production resumes later this summer, with Season 2 expected to air Fall 2025 au.lifestyle.yahoo.com+1parade.com+1.
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Stay tuned for more buzzworthy updates from the NCIS universe, and don’t forget to swap your look—summer’s calling
