While the agents of NCIS: Sydney tackle high-stakes cases and navigate slow-burn romances on screen, the actors who bring them to life lead surprisingly diverse and often long-term love lives away from the cameras. From enduring marriages to budding relationships and private statuses, this deep dive reveals the real-life partners and romantic perspectives of your favorite procedural stars.
Since its debut as the first international version of the beloved NCIS franchise, NCIS: Sydney has captivated audiences with its intriguing cases and the compelling chemistry among its cast. The series, a hit for CBS, has even surprised fans with what some describe as a “slow-burn” romance unfolding between characters like Special Agent DeShawn Jackson and AFP Liaison Officer Constable Evie Cooper, and a growing closeness between Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey and Special Agent Michelle Mackey.
However, once the cameras stop rolling, the personal lives of the NCIS: Sydney stars diverge significantly from their on-screen counterparts. While their characters might be entangled in complex professional and romantic dynamics, many actors enjoy stable, long-term relationships, while others keep their private lives out of the spotlight. Let’s take a closer look at the real-life partners of the NCIS: Sydney cast.
Olivia Swann: Love for Sydney, Relationship Status Unknown
Olivia Swann portrays the American NCIS Special Agent Captain Michelle Mackey, the fierce leader of the international spinoff’s team. Despite her character’s nationality, Swann herself is British, hailing from London.
While the potential for an on-screen romance with Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey has been noted, Swann’s real-life romantic status remains private. She has, however, expressed profound affection for her filming location. “I have fallen completely in love with this place. I don’t want to leave,” she shared with InStyle Australia in December 2023, referring to the vibrant city of Sydney.
Todd Lasance and Jordan Wilcox: A Lasting Love Story with Children
As Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey of the Australian Federal Police, Todd Lasance is tasked with keeping Sydney safe. His character’s on-screen relationship with Michelle Mackey has shown signs of deepening, prompting speculation among fans and even within the cast. Actress Olivia Swann noted the “dynamics that you would also find in a romantic relationship that would make it really compelling” when discussing her character’s bond with JD in a TV Insider interview.
However, in his personal life, Todd Lasance is happily married to Jordan Wilcox Lasance. The couple’s journey began in 2015, culminating in their marriage five years later. Lasance has often spoken about the profound impact Jordan has had on his life. “Before we met I had always been a long-term-relationship kind of guy. I wasn’t looking for her when she came into my world,” Lasance shared with The Sydney Morning Herald in June 2017. He added, “She is a selfless human who has a calming nature which balances out my over-hyperactivity. I am in awe of her generosity and empathy.”
The couple are proud parents to two children: a daughter, Charlie Rose, born in 2016, and a son, Beau, who arrived in 2023.
Sean Sagar: Single Status and Cast Appreciation
Sean Sagar portrays Special Agent DeShawn Jackson, one half of the fan-favorite “slow-burn” romance with Constable Evie Cooper. While their on-screen dynamic has viewers invested, Sagar’s real-life relationship status appears to be single.
Despite his private romantic life, Sagar openly shares his appreciation for his NCIS: Sydney costars. In November 2023, he took to Instagram, writing, “Still doesn’t feel real. Just glad the world will now get to see what these incredible individuals next to me and off-camera have created. What a moment in my life, one I will never forget,” alongside images of the cast at the series’ global launch event.
Fans might recall that Sagar previously dated Little Mix member Jesy Nelson in 2020, though their relationship concluded the following year.
Tuuli Narkle: Keeping Romance Off-Screen
Tuuli Narkle embodies Constable Evie Cooper, the AFP liaison officer whose developing relationship with DeShawn Jackson has garnered significant fan attention. While the “shipping” of their characters is strong, Narkle’s personal relationship status is currently unclear, as she keeps her private life very much her own.
Narkle has acknowledged the on-screen chemistry, telling Parade about Evie’s connection with DeShawn: “I know deep down it’s all love. I know she loves DeShawn Jackson. So, in my head, I’m like, ‘It’s such a beautiful dynamic that we have on and off-screen that allows us to bring those characters to life for the audience.’ “
Mavournee Hazel and Josh McKenzie: Finding Love in Fellow Actors
Mavournee Hazel brings to life the brilliant forensic scientist Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, whose character often prioritizes her lab work over romantic entanglements. In contrast to Blue, Hazel is in a real-life relationship with fellow actor Josh McKenzie.
Hazel has openly discussed her identity as demisexual, a sexual orientation where a person feels sexual attraction only after developing a strong emotional bond. She revealed this in a January 2019 interview with Sportsgirl, explaining, “I used to think there was something wrong with me or that I was broken because I wasn’t into the dating game, but as I got older I realized there is a whole spectrum.” She further clarified her perspective on romance, adding, “Dating isn’t a massive priority and it never has been. My definition of love is very different of other people’s.” The term demisexual is officially recognized and defined by organizations such as PFLAG, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
Bert LaBonté and Amanda LaBonté: Two Decades of Marriage
Bert LaBonté plays Special Agent Ken Carter on NCIS: Sydney. Off-screen, he shares a long and happy marriage with actress Amanda LaBonté.
The couple celebrated their wedding in 2002 and are parents to two sons. LaBonté often shares glimpses of their enduring love, including an anniversary post on Instagram in April 2024, where he wrote, “Photo taken 22 years to the day in the same spot we got our wedding pics. Happy anniversary babe! Couldn’t feel luckier than to do life with you.” Their long-standing union is a testament to their strong bond.
