The NCIS: Origins Season 1 finale, titled “Cecilia” — a nod to Special Agent “Lala” Dominguez’s real first name — is set to air on Monday, April 28 and promises a major turning point for the series.
In this climactic episode, a long-buried secret resurfaces: the murder of Pedro Hernandez, the man Gibbs (played by Austin Stowell) killed in retaliation for the deaths of his wife, Shannon, and daughter, Kelly. As the consequences of his past actions begin to close in, Gibbs faces a critical moment of reckoning.
Adding to the tension, TVLine has exclusively revealed that Military Police Investigator Lara Macy will make her debut during this episode, arriving at Camp Pendleton’s NIS office just as this sensitive case comes to light. Longtime NCIS fans will recognize Macy as the character who, nearly two decades later in the franchise timeline, will go on to lead the Los Angeles-based Office of Special Projects as Special Agent in Charge.
Originally portrayed by Louise Lombard (of CSI fame) in the NCIS Season 6 backdoor pilot “Legend” — which introduced the world of NCIS: Los Angeles — Macy was ultimately replaced when NCIS: LA went to series, with Linda Hunt taking the reins as the fan-favorite Hetty Lange.
Now, Claire Berger (known for The Midnight Club on Netflix) steps into the role, portraying a younger Macy in NCIS: Origins. This version of Macy is described as a fiercely determined investigator with keen instincts, a drive for truth, and an unwavering commitment to justice. She’s unafraid to go against the grain, even in a field dominated by men, and she’s actively looking to climb the professional ladder.
However, with Lala Dominguez (played by Mariel Molino) and Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) standing firmly in defense of Gibbs — especially considering Hernandez’s brutal past — Macy will find herself facing a morally complex situation and a career-defining decision.
