Gibbs’ Stunning New Love Interest Exposed in NCIS: Origins Photo!
A set photo from NCIS: Origins offers the first look at Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ new love interest. After Mark Harmon portrayed the character for almost two decades, young Gibbs has been recast with Austin Stowell for the upcoming police procedural spinoff. Set in the ’90s, the show will explore Gibbs’ early days in the agency as a member of Mike Franks’ rag-tag team at Camp Pendleton. Aside from Vera Strickland, the rest of the squad will be composed of fresh faces who have never been mentioned in the main NCIS series, including Gibbs’ new romantic partner.
Mariel Molino recently shared a new image of herself as Agent Lala Dominguez in NCIS: Origins on her official Instagram account. In the photo, Molino offers a full look at her character, Agent Lala. While she didn’t add any additional context to the post, it’s worth noting that production for NCIS: Origins has already started.
How Molino’s Debut as Agent Lala Changes Gibbs’ NCIS Story
According to the initial NCIS: Origins report on Molino’s character, Lala is described as “a former Marine who navigates her 1990s male-dominated field with a steely resolve and a dark sense of humor.” The NCIS franchise has a history of strong and capable female characters, and Lala will follow in that tradition. However, unlike Caitlin Todd and Ziva David, it has already been established that Lala will likely develop a romantic relationship with Gibbs. While the main NCIS series gave Gibbs a few love interests, Lala comes at a unique time in his life.
Considering where NCIS: Origins lands in the timeline, it could begin with the death of Shannon and Kelly—Gibbs’ first wife and only daughter. The murder of his family wasn’t revealed until the end of NCIS Season 3, but once it was, it became an important part of his arc moving forward. The challenge for NCIS: Origins is to make Gibbs and Lala’s potential romance compelling so that viewers remain invested, even though they know the relationship has no future. However, the show must also be careful not to tarnish Gibbs’ supposed devotion to Shannon.
For what it’s worth, Gibbs did get married three more times after his family’s murder. So seeing him develop feelings for Lala, especially during the most difficult years of his life, isn’t breaking NCIS canon. Still, NCIS: Origins should be meticulous in crafting their love story to avoid creating plot inconsistencies that could disrupt the franchise’s established narrative.
