NCIS: Origins’ Austin Stowell Hints at Gibbs and Lala Romance
NCIS: Origins enthusiasts are eager for Gibbs and Lala to transition from partners to a romantic couple — and it might still become a reality, even with his marriage to Diane.
Austin Stowell, portraying Leroy Jethro Gibbs, shared exclusively with Us Weekly that while the trajectory of his character may appear predetermined by NCIS plots, there’s still potential for Gibbs and Lala Dominguez’s (Mariel Molino) relationship to evolve.
“I think anything is possible,” Stowell, 41, remarked when asked if NCIS: Origins could surprise viewers by uniting Gibbs and Lala.
As devoted NCIS fans — the show debuted in 2003 and is currently in its 23rd season — know, special agent Gibbs (originally played by Mark Harmon) has had four marriages before relocating to Alaska, where he lives today.
NCIS: Origins, which premiered in 2024, serves as a prequel, depicting the early career of Gibbs at NIS (the name used in the ’90s) in San Diego.
During the season 2 midseason finale in December 2025, Gibbs tied the knot with his second wife, Diane Sterling (Kathleen Kenny), disappointing some fans due to his apparent connection with work partner Lala.
In an exclusive preview shared with Us for the show’s return on Tuesday, March 3, Gibbs informs his team that he and Diane eloped in Las Vegas. Initially met with disbelief, Gibbs clarifies, “A regular guy conducted the ceremony. Elvis was off duty.”
Stowell elaborated to Us about Gibbs, stating he’s “already married, so to speak, once in real life, but he’s also married to his career.”
Though many fans may not fully support Gibbs’ second marriage to Diane — particularly given his first wife’s tragic death alongside their daughter while he was deployed — Stowell emphasized that it’s part of his character’s journey.
“One of Gibbs’ rules is to never look back. So this is a commitment he must honor,” the actor explained. “He has welcomed someone into his life and takes that responsibility seriously.”
Stowell mentioned that Gibbs is “working to move past his first marriage that ended so tragically,” and with Diane, he is now “attempting to rebuild himself.”
While Gibbs may be temporarily unavailable, keep in mind he’ll marry two more times, and there’s still a chance for a deeper bond with Lala.
Molino, 33, previously expressed to Us that timing is crucial for her character, Lala, regarding Gibbs.
“Although we can’t explore a romance, we can delve into the subtleties of longing for someone and how that impacts every aspect of your life, including work and personal relationships,” Molino shared in October 2025. “You just want to challenge them or make them proud.”
The actress highlighted that following their near-kiss in season 1 and Lala’s near-fatal car accident, Gibbs is currently seeking something “a bit safer.”
“As much as he deeply cares for Lala, he’s trying to safeguard his heart from the pain of possibly losing her again,” Molino explained of Gibbs’ mindset in season 2. “He doesn’t want to risk opening his heart only to face another heartbreak.”
Molino acknowledged she has come across fan theories suggesting that a future version of Gibbs might be living with Lala in Alaska after reuniting, and she is supportive of that idea.
“I mean, wouldn’t that be lovely? On some level, it certainly would,” Molino stated to Us, adding that on a “purely selfish level,” she would “love” to play an older version of Lala, saying, “I’d roll up in a wheelchair next to Mark Harmon.”
As audiences anticipate what unfolds between Gibbs and Lala in NCIS: Origins, Stowell told Us that viewers can expect to witness a stronger camaraderie among the entire cast.
“The team has grown close over time,” he mentioned ahead of the show’s midseason comeback. “And that’s true not just for the characters on screen, but also for us, the actors, who have built a lot of trust with one another over the last two years.”
NCIS: Origins returns to CBS on Tuesday, March 3, at 9 p.m. ET. Check out Us Weekly’s behind-the-scenes gym session with the male cast members here.
