SUMMARY
- Mariel Molino unveils an image of her NCIS: Origins script, which also reveals that the first episode will be titled “Enter Sandman.”
- Molino portrays a brand-new character to the NCIS franchise known as Special Agent Lala Dominguez.
- Molino will work closely with co-star Austin Stowell, who bears the awesome responsibility of bringing the younger version of Leroy Jethro Gibbs to life on the small screen.
It’s not likely that Special Agent Lala Dominguez will pull a DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) anytime soon and call Leroy Jethro Gibbs “Boss” on the NCIS prequel series. But it’s hard to tell with all the secrecy surrounding the drama. However, the actress who portrays Lala (Mariel Molino) on the upcoming NCIS: Origins is teasing audiences with a behind-the-scenes look at her script, which does reveal the title of the very first episode: “Enter Sandman” (via Instagram). Molino’s character, who has never appeared in the NCIS franchise, is described as follows (per Deadline):
“Molino will play Special Agent Lala Dominguez, a former Marine who navigates her 1990s male-dominated field with a steely resolve and a dark sense of humor. When a tormented Leroy Jethro Gibbs joins her team, the ensuing story between these two enigmatic outsiders is filled with sparks and turns that will keep the audience guessing.”
While Molino plays an essential role in NCIS: Origins, which is set in 1991, the prequel centers around one of the franchise’s most beloved characters: Leroy Jethro Gibbs. But this younger version of Gibbs, who pairs up with Lala, won’t be reprised by Sean Harmon. No, the mantle falls to a brand-new actor, Austin Stowell.
Check out a screenshot of Molion’s Instagram story below to see the script cover for “Enter Sandman.”
‘I Always Felt There Was a Tale Worth Telling About His Earlier Years’
Leroy Jethro Gibbs is unquestionably the most beloved of all the NCIS characters. However, since NCIS: Origins is a prequel, Mark Harmon will simply narrate the series. The younger, on-screen version of Gibbs will be portrayed by Austin Stowell. Mariel Molino joins her co-star Stowell, as the two actors’ characters embark on a whole new adventure in the NCIS world together.
The older version of the character was made popular for almost two decades by the original actor who portrayed Gibbs, Mark Harmon. Meanwhile, his son, Sean Harmon, had the responsibility of playing young Gibbs in flashbacks over the years. Sean, who serves as an executive producer on Origins, reflected on the role of Gibbs as follows (per a press release):
“The character of Gibbs has been an important part of my life for 20 years, both in watching my father craft the role and previously having the honor to play young Gibbs myself. I always felt there was a tale worth telling about his earlier years, so I am thrilled to be stepping into a producing role.”
Back in March, Paramount announced that Stowell would step into Gibbs’ immense shoes for the prequel series, which is being produced by CBS Studios. In addition to narrating the show, Harmon and his son Sean serve as EPs on the television project. David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal serve as Origins’ showrunners, and they both co-wrote the premiere episode, “Enter Sandman.”
