NCIS: Origins” is returning this October, and season 2 promises to dive even deeper into the early days of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While the show’s season 1 finale leaves viewers with a major life-or-death cliffhanger, co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal is already teasing what’s next for the young special agent—and it includes one of the most iconic parts of his NCIS legacy.
While viewers have seen glimpses of Gibbs (played by Austin Stowell) questioning suspicions out in the field, Monreal says season 2 will take things to the next level.
“One thing we haven’t shown yet, that I’m really excited for, is Gibbs’ first interrogation,” she told TVLine. “We’ve seen him questioning people, outside in the field and in the elevator, but we haven’t seen him yet in interrogation properly grilling somebody—and I’m excited to see what that first will look like.”
The moment will likely challenge Gibbs’ confidence, but fans of the franchise know how intense he can be in the interrogation room. Seeing the younger version of him figure that out in real time should be a standout moment for longtime “NCIS” fans.
That won’t be the only emotional twist, though. The season 1 finale ends with Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino) in a car crash on her way to deliver good news to Gibbs. It was a gut-wrenching ending for the prequel’s breakout character—and even Molino herself is in the dark about her fate.
“I hope Lala is alive… and I hope I have a job,” she joked in an interview with Deadline. Given that the premiere of “NCIS: Origins” began with Mark Harmon’s narration stating the show is “the story of her,” it seems unlikely Lala will be killed off—but the fallout could still be significant.Set in 1991, “NCIS: Origins” follows a young Gibbs as he begins his journey at NIS, under the command of the legendary Mike Franks (played by Kyle Schmid). The show offers fans a look at formative moments previously only hinted at in the main series, “NCIS.”
The cast of season 1 includes Austin Stowell (Leroy Jethro Gibbs), Mariel Molino (Lala Dominguez), Kyle Schmid (Mike Franks), Tyla Abercrumbie (Mary Jo Hayes), Diany Rodriguez (Vera Strickland), and Caleb Foote (Bernard “Randy” Randolf). Molino’s return is still up in the air, depending on how her storyline continues post-accident.
The finale was a tense one: Macy (Claire Berger) was investigating the murder of the man who had killed Gibbs’ wife and daughter, and Lala tried to protect Gibbs by lying to Macy about what she knew. After a nearly-romantic moment with Gibbs, she raced to tell him he was in the clear—only to be caught in a potentially deadly car crash.
Fans will find out what happens next when “NCIS: Origins” returns this fall.
