Here’s a brand-new cozy off‑screen snapshot of Austin Stowell and Mariel Molino, co‑stars of NCIS: Origins, and it’s delightfully intimate—just like their on‑screen chemistry.
‘NCIS: Origins’ Stars Austin Stowell and Mariel Molino Cozy Up in New Off‑Screen Photo
A Movie Night That Sparked Fan Love
At a Cinespia screening of Point Break on August 2, Stowell and Molino were spotted at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in L.A. The venue’s open-air charm set the stage for a candid moment: they posed close together, smiling—Molino resting her head on Stowell’s shoulder, one hand on his leg, while he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. It looked less like press and more like real life unfolds. Yahoo+14Parade+14Just Jared+14
Why the Photo Matters
On‑Screen Chemistry. Off‑Screen Connection
Fans shipping Gibbs and Lala have long speculated their characters’ bond might go beyond professional respect—and this image only fuels the fantasy. Their presence at a laid-back movie screening felt both genuine and perfectly timed.Parade+1
Friends, Colleagues, or Something More?
They haven’t publicly confirmed a romantic relationship, and both have kept their personal lives private. Stowell once humorously noted, “I’m in a relationship with a TV show…I am here Monday through Friday.” Still, seeing them relaxed together off set naturally invites fan curiosity and speculation. Parade+2Parade+2
Context: From Screen to Real Life
They’re Very Different People On-Camera
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Austin Stowell portrays a deeply troubled, stoic young Gibbs—a legacy he approached with quiet intensity and reverence to the original role performed by Mark Harmon. Just Jared+14KSAT+14Reddit+14
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Mariel Molino brings Lala Dominguez to life: a Marine‑turned‑agent navigating a male-dominated early NIS world with sharp wit and steely resilience. NurPhoto Agency+14screenrant.com+14Drama Quarterly+14
Their characters share a fraught but tightly knit alliance and romantic tension on the series, which has cemented fan fascination.
Season 2 Is Already Filming
Speculation around Lala’s fate—following a dramatic car crash in the Season 1 finale—makes this photo even more intriguing. Molino’s presence in recent behind-the-scenes photos suggests she’s back on set in Season 2.cinemablend.com+2Parade+2
What’s Ahead: NCIS: Origins Season 2 Preview
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Renewed for Season 2, which officially began filming in early 2025 and will premiere on October 14 on CBS.People.com+2cinemablend.com+2
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Season Finale Hints: Emotional arcs continue to deepen, with new character Diane entering Gibbs’s life and intensifying tensions around his loyalty to Lala. EW.com+1
With their real-life friendship seeming as warm as their fictional crew’s bond, viewers are excited to see how their dynamic plays out in upcoming episodes.
Final Thoughts
This off‑duty moment gave fans a peek behind the curtain—an unguarded, cozy snapshot that echoes the chemistry and emotional depth Stowell and Molino bring to NCIS: Origins. Whether they’re close friends or more, their on‑screen tension extends seamlessly into their off-screen persona, keeping audiences invested in every storyline—real or scripted.
FAQs
Q1: When and where was this photo taken?
The photo was captured on August 2, 2025, at a Point Break screening hosted by Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. Wikipedia+15Parade+15Parade+15
Q2: Are Austin Stowell and Mariel Molino dating in real life?
Neither has confirmed a romance. Molino kept close to Stowell in the photo, but both remain private about their love lives. Fans continue to speculate. ParadePeople.com
Q3: Does this hint that Lala returns for Season 2?
Molino’s posting from the Paramount lot suggests that she’s at least appearing in the Season 2 premiere, though it may be via flashbacks. Her character’s survival remains officially unconfirmed. cinemablend.com
Q4: How’s their chemistry on screen in the show?
Critics and fans love the palpable tension between Gibbs and Lala—marked by mutual stubbornness, shared trauma, and deepening bond. Their emotional arc is one of the standout elements of NCIS: Origins. TV InsiderEW.com
Q5: When does Season 2 of NCIS: Origins premiere?
Season 2 premieres on CBS Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9 PM ET/PT, as part of a block featuring NCIS and NCIS: Sydney. goodhousekeeping.com+1
Stay tuned as Origins progresses—expect emotional revelations, character surprises, and perhaps even more star-studded outings like this one.
