By Lucas Hill-Paul

Copyright manchestereveningnews

The season two trailer for NCIS: Origins has yet to confirm whether Lala Dominguez, portrayed by Mariel Molino, will return for more action in CBS’s popular prequel series. This hit drama is the newest spin-off from the main NCIS franchise, delving into the early career of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a role previously filled by renowned TV star Mark Harmon. Austin Stowell takes on the role of a younger Gibbs during his time at the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) in the 1990s, a period when technology may have been limited but their missions were equally captivating. In the thrilling finale of the first season, which aired in April this year, Gibbs and Dominguez’s friendship nearly progressed to the next level following a heated moment in a swimming pool. However, their almost-kiss was interrupted and a shocking twist at the episode’s conclusion could mean that the tantalising will-they-won’t-they dynamic of Origins is already over, reports the Mirror US . After a conversation with Lara Macy, played by Claire Berger, Dominguez drives off in her car, presumably to reunite with Gibbs. Suddenly, a young girl chasing her dog runs into the road, causing Dominguez to swerve desperately to avoid her, resulting in her car veering off the road. In the final scenes of the episode, the agent is left unconscious or worse, bloodied and bruised in the fiery wreckage. Showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal have remained silent about her fate in the upcoming season, and the latest trailer has done little to alleviate fans’ worries. Following the trailer’s release on the NCISVerse Instagram page, numerous viewers flocked to the comments section with hopes for Dominguez’s wellbeing. One viewer responded with a crying emoji: “Pls tell me lala isn’t dead like tht is the only thing I want.” Another fan expressed concern: “Hey so uh I don’t see Lala yet..” A third anticipated the worst, writing: “So she’s gone”, accompanied by a tearful emoji. “Please tell me Dominguez is ok,” someone else commented. “Please don’t be dead.” And another viewer posted: “I hope lala survives”, to which a final fan responded: “Fingers crossed.” Within the trailer, a foreboding voiceover from Harmon’s elder Gibbs provides some hint regarding Dominguez’s destiny. “The team wasn’t what it used to be,” he states. “I tried to keep my mind busy at the office. The job wasn’t right without her.” Could this suggest Dominguez perished in that catastrophic collision? Or might she simply be taking time away from active duty whilst recovering from her wounds? Catch the second series premiere of NCIS: Origins in just a fortnight’s time to discover the answer. NCIS: Origins season 2 premieres Tuesday, 14th October on CBS. Stream season 1 on Paramount+.