Why Nina Dobrev’s Ex Austin Stowell Jokes He’s Dating “300 People”

Austin Stowell is putting service over self.

As the Bridge of Spies actor prepares for his new role as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS: Origins—a prequel series to the longstanding CBS show NCIS that starred Mark Harmon in the role—he is prioritizing his work connections instead of his romantic ones. In fact, Austin joked that his love life is dedicated to the hundreds of people working on the cast and crew.

“I'm in a relationship with a TV show,” Austin told People in an interview published Oct. 14. “I am here Monday through Friday. Remember those 300 people that I was telling you about? They are all my boyfriends and girlfriends."

And though the 39-year-old—who dated Degrassi alum Nina Dobrev for seven months before the pair broke up in February 2016—isn’t romantically-linked at the moment, he noted that “kindness” is a priority for when he begins looking for a partner again.

“I think the way that someone treats someone on the street,” Austin continued, “you can really learn a lot about them in those moments."

While he may not be giving his romantic self to anyone at the moment, the Friend of the Family alum—who is starring in the NCIS prequel series alongside Saturday Night Live alum Bobby Moynihan, as well as Diany Rodriguez, Mariel Molino and Tyla Abercrumbie—has developed a strong working relationship with Mark Harmon, who returns to narrate and executive produce the series. 

“He always starts off his conversations with, ‘Do you need anything?’” Austin shared. “That is so disarming. The guy is a global superstar. He could make it very uncomfortable for people to be around him. Certainly, I mean, for me, a guy who is stepping into the shoes of the character that he created and has become beloved and for everybody else that's around here. That goes for the crew. He treats everyone with such respect.” 

And to be entrusted to embody the character that Mark spent 20 years portraying is a true honor for Austin. 

“I knew I had something inside me that felt very Gibbs-esque,” he said. “To be tapped to play the guy is absolutely a confidence booster. It's something that I take a lot of pride in.”