The stars of NCIS: Origins discuss which characters from the original series’ cast they want to see make an appearance on the hit prequel.
Speaking to TV Insider, NCIS: Origins stars Mariel Molino and Austin Stowell, who portray Special Agent Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez and Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs respectively, were asked what characters from the original NCIS they would like to see show up in future seasons of the prequel series. “Sure, why not a young DiNozzo,” said Molino. Stowell added, “We need a new funny guy. We got to have some smiles down in the office,” to which Molino added, “A young Ziva would be cool, too.”
Portrayed by Michael Weatherly and Cote De Pablo respectively, Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo and Special Agent Ziva David were two of the original NCIS’ breakout fan-favorite characters. The two were also at the center of the series’ long-running will-they-won’t-they romance, not to mention numerous major storylines. Weatherly and De Pablo are both set to reprise their roles for the upcoming NCIS spinoff series, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which will follow the two as they go on the run from shadowy assailants alongside their daughter, Tali, played by incoming franchise star Isla Gie.
NCIS: Origins Has Been Well Received
NCIS: Origins premiered in Oct. 2024 to largely positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The series, set in the early ’90s, follows a young Jethro Gibbs at the outset of his career as a special agent at the NIS Camp Pendleton office. There he is joined by NCIS legend Mike Franks, played by Kyle Shmid, as well as an eclectic team including Tyla Abercrumbie’s Mary Joe Hayes, Diany Rodriguez’ Vera Strickland, and Caleb Foote’s Bernard “Randy” Randolf. The series also features a whole host of recurring stars such as Patrick Fischler in the role of Special Agent in Charge Cliff Wheeler, who has already been confirmed to have a much bigger role going into NCIS: Origins Season 2.
Following the series’ explosive Season 1 finale in April, NCIS: Origins co-showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal broke down exactly how the episode and its cliffhanger ending came to be. “We really wanted to write something that would speak to our core fans who have been so loyal all of these years, where they would recognize these big tentpole moments, but also write something that would be welcoming to new fans.” Monreal added, “People who have never seen an episode of the original NCIS, that they could hop on board and really understand what was going on with all the characters, without having seen an episode of NCIS before.”
NCIS: Origins is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.