‘NCIS: Origins’ Stars Austin Stowell and Mariel Molino Cozy Up in New Offscreen Photo originally appeared on Parade.
NCIS: Origins fans have been shipping Austin Stowell and Mariel Molino’s characters for a while, and their chemistry clearly extends beyond the show.
Stowell, 40, and Molino, 32 — who portray NIS agents Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Lala Dominguez, respectively, on the CBS drama — were spotted getting close during a Saturday, August 2, Cinespia screening of Point Break at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, presented by Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video.
In a photo from the event, the costars smiled broadly with their arms wrapped around each other and their hands placed on one another’s shoulders. Molino also rested her head on Stowell’s shoulder and her other hand on his leg in the cozy shot.
Since NCIS: Origins premiered in October 2024, Stowell and Molino have kept their love lives under wraps. However, he told People that same month that dating was on the backburner while he focused on leading the series.
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“I’m in a relationship with a TV show. I am here Monday through Friday,” he explained at the time.
Still, Stowell noted that he was looking for a “kind” partner when the timing was right.
“I think the way that someone treats someone on the street, you can really learn a lot about them in those moments,” he added.
Stowell and Molino’s recent movie night outing comes amid speculation that her character, Lala, will return for season 2 of NCIS: Origins despite fans initially assuming she died in a car accident during the April season 1 finale. In July, Molino hinted at her potential reprisal of the role when she posted an Instagram Story photo of her dog on the Paramount lot where season 2 is filming.
NCIS: Origins creators Gina Lucita Monreal and David J. North have refused to confirm whether Lala is actually dead, with North telling Us Weekly in April, “We can’t promise that [Lala is alive], but we can promise that you’ll get an answer if you come back in season 2.”
Season 2 of NCIS: Origins is scheduled to premiere on CBS Tuesday, October 14.
‘NCIS: Origins’ Stars Austin Stowell and Mariel Molino Cozy Up in New Offscreen Photo first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
