NCIS: Origins Season 2 Cast Update: Who’s Returning & What About Lala’s Fate?
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The highly anticipated second season of NCIS: Origins is set to premiere on CBS on Tuesday, October 14th at 9 p.m. ET, leaving fans eager to know wich familiar faces will be back and, crucially, the status of Lala Dominguez following a shocking season one finale. The prequel series, exploring the early days of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, ended on a cliffhanger, with several character arcs left unresolved and questions swirling about the future of the team.
Lala Dominguez’s Fate Remains Uncertain
The season one finale revealed a pivotal moment in young Gibbs’ (Austin Stowell) past – his involvement in the death of the man responsible for the tragedies that befell his family. this revelation came to light through his partner, Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino), and her friend Macy (Claire Berger). While Lala managed to secure Macy’s silence, her own future hangs in the balance. A recent Instagram post by Mariel Molino, alongside a similar photo shared by Kyle Schmid, has led many to believe she will appear at least at the start of the new season.
Confirmed Returning Cast Members
Several key cast members are confirmed to return for season two. Austin Stowell will reprise his role as the young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, having officially begun filming in late July, transforming back into the iconic character with his signature buzzcut. Stowell shared the transformation on Instagram, captioning it, “Gibbs is back in 5 … 4 … 3… 2 … 1…”
Kyle Schmid is also set to return as Mike Franks, despite his character facing heartbreak at the end of season one with the departure of his love, Tish (Tonantzin Carmelo). The actor has been spotted on set throughout July and August, according to behind-the-scenes photos shared on the show’s official Instagram page.
Caleb Foote will continue his portrayal of Bernard “randy” Randolf, with a senior official assuring fans, “We can’t get enough Randy. So in season 2, there’s going to be no shortage of Randy.” While Randolf expressed a desire for a desk job due to the inherent dangers of field work, the creators have indicated he will continue to grapple with the challenges of balancing a dangerous career with family life.
Tyla Abercrumbie, who plays NIS’ secretary Mary Joe Sullivan, has confirmed her return via an Instagram post with Schmid, stating, “Mary Jo – Frank’s – NCISO – the team is back 10/14!!!” She has continued to share updates from the set, further solidifying her presence in the upcoming season.
Patrick Fischler will reprise his role as Special Agent in Charge Cliff Wheeler, despite facing criticism for some of his subordinates’ actions in the previous season. Fischler was also spotted on set in August, signaling his continued involvement.
New Faces and Lingering Questions
Kathleen Kenny will return as Diane Sterling, one of Gibbs’ future wives, who was briefly introduced in the season one finale. A senior official explained, “We don’t know Lala’s fate yet but in canon – according to where we are in time – this is when Diane would come into the picture.” The creators are carefully weaving her storyline into the existing narrative, promising a compelling addition to the series.
The fate of Rodriguez, who played Vera Strickland, remains unconfirmed. While fans hope to see her storyline continue, she has not publicly announced her return.
As NCIS: Origins prepares for its second season, the show promises to deliver answers to lingering questions, explore complex character arcs, and continue to build the foundation for the beloved NCIS franchise. The premiere on October 14th is poised to be a pivotal moment for fans eager to see what the future holds for young Gibbs and his team.
