For fourteen seasons, Eric Christian Olsen endeared himself to millions as the charmingly offbeat Marty Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles. His witty banter, surprising depth, and enduring romance with Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) were cornerstones of the beloved spin-off. When the series concluded its successful run in 2023, many fans held onto the hope of seeing Deeks (and Olsen) return to the NCIS universe in some capacity, perhaps in a crossover or a new spin-off. However, Olsen has embarked on a brand new CBS venture, and it’s one that sees him wielding power behind the camera rather than a badge: he’s the executive producer of the highly anticipated reboot of the classic legal drama, Matlock, starring Kathy Bates.
The Sunset on Sunshine and Sleuthing: Saying Goodbye to NCIS: LA
NCIS: Los Angeles carved a unique niche within the procedural landscape, offering a blend of high-stakes undercover operations and the sun-drenched backdrop of the California coastline. Marty Deeks, the former LAPD liaison who seamlessly integrated into the NCIS Office of Special Projects, became a fan favorite due to Olsen’s charismatic portrayal of his humor, vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty to his team and his partner, Kensi. The series finale provided a sense of closure for their characters, hinting at a bright future as they prepared to become parents. However, the absence of the show left a void for viewers who cherished the unique dynamics and engaging storylines.
The Lingering Hope for More Deeks: Spinoff Dreams and Crossover Wishes
Following the cancellation, the natural inclination for many NCIS fans was to speculate about potential future appearances of their favorite NCIS: Los Angeles characters within the broader franchise. The occasional crossover events between the various NCIS series had always been a source of excitement, and the possibility of a new spin-off focusing on a subset of the LA team, perhaps even featuring Deeks and Kensi navigating parenthood alongside their NCIS duties, was a popular fan theory. The return of LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna in NCIS: Hawai’i further fueled this hope, suggesting that the NCIS universe wasn’t entirely closed off to familiar faces.
Trading the Tactical for the Take: Olsen’s New Role Behind the Camera
However, Eric Christian Olsen’s next major project with CBS takes him in a decidedly different direction. He is serving as an executive producer on the reboot of Matlock, a reimagining of the iconic series that originally starred Andy Griffith. This new iteration stars Academy Award winner Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant but unconventional septuagenarian lawyer who uses her folksy demeanor and keen intellect to solve complex cases. Olsen’s involvement in Matlock signifies a significant shift in his focus, moving from portraying a beloved character to shaping the narrative and supporting the performances of a new ensemble cast.
The Creative Pull of Producing: Shaping Stories from a New Perspective
The role of an executive producer offers a different kind of creative fulfillment than acting. It involves a more holistic involvement in the filmmaking process, from the initial development of the concept to the casting decisions, the tone of the show, and the overall execution. Olsen’s move into producing Matlock suggests a desire to contribute to storytelling on a broader level, utilizing his years of experience on screen to guide and nurture a new project. His enthusiasm for the Matlock reboot has been evident in interviews, where he has praised Kathy Bates’ exceptional talent and the clever writing of the series.
A Glimmer of On-Screen Possibility, But Not as Deeks:
While Olsen’s primary focus is currently on producing Matlock, he hasn’t entirely ruled out a return to acting in the future. Interestingly, he has even hinted at the possibility of appearing on Matlock itself, albeit as a new character, distinct from the beloved Marty Deeks. This suggests that while he may be taking a step back from full-time acting for now, his passion for being in front of the camera hasn’t completely faded. However, the key takeaway is that his new CBS gig is firmly rooted in the world of producing, not in reprising his role as Deeks or headlining an NCIS spin-off.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Olsen, a Different Kind of CBS Success
While NCIS: Los Angeles fans may have hoped to see Eric Christian Olsen back in action as Marty Deeks in a familiar context, his new role as executive producer of CBS’s Matlock marks an exciting new chapter in his career. It demonstrates his versatility and his ambition to contribute to the television landscape in a different and significant way. While the door for a future Deeks appearance might never be completely closed, Olsen’s current focus on bringing the reimagined Matlock to life signifies that his immediate future on CBS lies behind the camera, ushering in a new era of his creative journey that extends beyond the world of naval criminal investigation.
