CBS’s NCIS: Origins shows how a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) joins NIS, the agency that became NCIS. There’s also a young Franks (Kyle Schmid) but the rest of the team is all new. Mariel Molino plays Special Agent Lala Dominguez.
The pilot for NCIS: Origins wasn’t available to watch before CBS presented the show to the Television Critics Association. So, I spoke with Molino at the party that evening to find out more about the new character. NCIS: Origins premieres Monday, October 14, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT.
Mariel Molino NCIS: Origins Interview
Tell me about your new character in the NCIS world?
Mariel Molino: “Lala is a tough, yet vulnerable agent at NCIS, which was NIS back then. She’s a former Marine and as described by [writers/producers] Gina [Lucita Monreal] and David [J. North] in the first description we get in the pilot episode, she is a storm we crave and fear. That’s exactly what drew me to this character because she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s someone who immediately kind of pushes Gibbs and challenges Gibbs but also challenges Franks who is her superior.
So far, it’s been really fun to play. We’ve only been in production for a week but already there’s a great connection with the rest of the cast. It really feels like we’re building a team. Obviously, Gibbs is at the forefront of this story, but it really feels like we’re all on the same team. It’s not just Gibbs. It’s about the people that shaped who he becomes when we fall in love with him years later.”
It’s NCIS: Origins not just Gibbs Origins.
Mariel Molino: “Exactly.”
How intense was the audition process to get any role on NCIS?
Mariel Molino: “I never really thought that I would even get it because I don’t necessarily think I look like a former Marine. I came in being like I’m so new to this world and this universe, so I feel like I just read the script and I loved it. And it was a self-tape. Then, from there, it was a callback with the producers. I was actually in my grandma’s house in Mexico City when I did that. I was like jimmying my phone onto the wall and using the light there.
I had to fly to L.A. for the screen test with Austin. I think what worked is that I really pushed him. I did not let him get away with anything. I was there and I came in hot. I think they really responded to that because I think they imagined that Lala was that person, the only one that was willing to challenge Gibbs. My character really comes from a place of love where it’s like, ‘You just lost your daughter and your wife and you’re coming into work at NIS? Are you ready for this? You’re going through something really traumatic. How are you ready to go into very traumatic situations and solve very traumatic crimes when this just happened to you?’ That’s kind of where Lala is.”
So, you still have family in Mexico. Are you from Mexico?
Mariel Molino: “My family is from Mexico City. I grew up in San Diego, just like Lala who’s from San Diego as well. I’m first generation, but I’m Mexican as well so I have Mexican nationality and American. Culturally very Mexican and I work in Mexico a lot.”
Do you have dual citizenship?
Mariel Molino: “Yes, so I work in both places. I’m always back and forth.”
Have you done a lot of Spanish Language series?
Mariel Molino: “A lot of Spanish language. I’ve done TV shows for Netflix, for HBO Max, for Amazon, all in Spanish. And then I really didn’t get my start here until 2021 with Promised Land for ABC.”
Have you had a chance to research the military and meet military people, Marines especially?
Mariel Molino: “I have a Marine handbook that lives with me, and I’ve thankfully had the opportunity to talk with one of our consultants on the show who’s a former Marine. He’s with us on set every day so that’s been really helpful. I’ve also had the opportunity to talk to a former NIS agent from the ‘90s who’s a woman. So, getting to talk to her and what it was like to be a female agent at that time was really helpful. And just that commitment from CBS and from the creators of the show for us to get a feel of what it was like to go to Camp Pendleton. We got to go to Camp Pendleton and see the actual NCIS office. They’re really preparing us.”
Have you tried any of the obstacle courses?
Mariel Molino: “Yeah.”
How’d you do?
Mariel Molino: “Honestly, not that bad. I may not look like the toughest gal but let me tell you, I can go up that rope like nobody’s business. These guns are illegal in some states.”
Is there a physical regimen required for the show?
Mariel Molino: “Yes, I have a personal trainer. I have to eat a bunch of protein, work out a ton. My muscles are constantly in pain, but I want to make it believable that I’m a former Marine. I’m a reservist as well, so my character could get called back into duty at any point and I’m trying to make sure that that is physically there as well.”
That sounds like a potential spinoff episode.
Mariel Molino: “Ah, maybe. We’ll see.”
Whenever the viewers ultimately learn it, are you currently aware of Lala’s background and backstory?
Mariel Molino: “Yes, I’m aware of some of her background. Gina, who’s one of the showrunners, and I have really talked about her backstory and what we think she’s been through. We’ve been able to collaborate on a lot of things which has been really great. I can’t say much else because there will be a more Lala-centric episode where we get to find out more about her backstory. But I can say that she knows a lot more about Gibbs than Gibbs thinks she does. So yeah, I’m going to discover her pretty soon.”
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