NCIS star Gary Cole has reassured fans that he's "not trying to be" Mark Harmon as he takes over as lead on the popular crime drama.
While the actor's character, former FBI officer Alden Parker, is set to be introduced as the titular team's new special agent in charge, following news of Leroy Jethro Gibbs' (Harmon) retirement to Alaska, Cole is keen for viewers to see Parker as his own person.
"I've done a lot of dropping into shows, [usually] as a recurring character," he told TVLine recently, noting his appearances in titles such as Suits and The Good Wife.
Related: NCIS: LA boss responds to speculation season 13 will be its last
"Part of my job description is to get comfortable, whatever that takes. I'm not trying to be [Gibbs]. The writers made that distinction."
Discussing the differences between Gibbs, who has been at the centre of the show since its inception in 2003, and Parker, Cole revealed: "Parker isn't overly chatty, but he is more verbal. He's not as old school; he tries to get his hands on new tech gadgets and impress everybody.
"He's trying to fit in with the rest of the team. Although he may be reluctant to voice it, he admires that Gibbs breaks rules. Parker bends them. We'll see if it gets to the point of breaking."
Related: NCIS unveils big change after 18 years
Referencing Cole's Emmy-nominated turn in political comedy Veep, the publication asked him whether he'll get a chance to inject a bit of humour into his performance on NCIS, to which he replied: "The writers leaned into stuff I've done. I'm fairly sarcastic. [Parker] is similar."
Without giving anything concrete away, Cole also teased that Parker is "purposefully kind of an enigma" and that a "tragic" event from his past is a big driving force behind his decisions at work. A special agent with a secret? It wouldn't be NCIS without one.
NCIS airs on CBS in the US.
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