NCIS: Los Angeles star Eric Christian Olsen addresses a potential return in the upcoming NCIS season 22. After an impressive run that consisted of 14 seasons and more than 300 episodes, the LA spinoff ended in part because of the large costs associated with the veteran series. But since then, a few key cast members from the NCIS spinoff have returned to the CBS franchise in different roles.
Olsen, who played the main role of Marty Deeks, spoke with TVLine about reprising his NCIS: LA role. Olsen, who is an executive producer on the new Matlock series, joked that he occasionally imagines himself appearing in the Kathy Bates reboot. But when it came to Marty Deeks, Olsen was more conflicted. Though he missed working with LL Cool J and said that he is always in contact with sister-in-law and former co-star Daniela Ruah, the actor ultimately confessed that he did not have much interest in playing Deeks again. Read his comment below:
“I actively miss Todd, and I was texting with Renee [Felice Smith] this morning, and I see [sister-in-law] Daniela [Ruah] all the time…”
The NCIS Franchise Is In A Transitional Moment
The CBS Stalwart Is Looking Forward
Ruah, who played Kensi in NCIS: LA, has since returned to the franchise to direct episodes. LL Cool J reprised the role of Sam Hanna in NCIS: Hawai’i, which was controversially cancelled earlier this year. The cancellation decision is one sign that the police procedural is in a transitional period. NCIS season 22 will premiere on CBS on Monday, October 14 at 8 PM ET, and the main series continues to grow strong. But there are also spinoffs that CBS hopes will succeed, like NCIS: Origins, which debuts on the same night, and NCIS: Tony & Ziva which is slated for Paramount+.
Given all of these new shows, there is perhaps less of an urgency in bringing back characters like Kensi and Deeks. Olsen, who is working behind the scenes on Matlock, echoes that sentiment in his comments. But that doesn’t mean that the NCIS: LA gang is gone for good, only that it may not be the right time for them to make cameos right now.
Our Take On The Return Of Olsen As Marty Deeks
There Should Be A Follow-Up
Marty and Kensi have a baby on the way by the end of NCIS: Los Angeles. This makes for a nice chance to check up on the fan-favorite pairing and see how they are handling such a big milestone in their lives. Although it may not happen anytime soon, NCIS has brought back familiar faces after long absences, so it’s not totally out of the question that there will be other Marty and Kensi milestones in the future.