As NCIS: Los Angeles kicks off its 14th season, fans can expect the usual action-packed missions — but also a deeper look into the characters’ lives off the clock. In the premiere episode, viewers will see Kensi and Deeks navigating life as foster parents to Rosa Reyes (played by Natalia Del Riego), the teenager Kensi rescued in Mexico. Meanwhile, a mysterious body discovered in Syria raises concerns it could be Hetty, adding a dramatic twist.
“The show has always balanced intense cases with personal moments,” said Daniela Ruah in an interview with Parade.com. “That’s part of what makes us stand out from other crime dramas. Over 14 seasons, our audience has watched us grow—both as actors and as characters. They’ve seen us evolve and adapt over time, which is a big reason why the show resonates so deeply.”
When it comes to parenthood, Kensi and Deeks are in uncharted territory. Their relationship with Rosa is still developing, and dropping her off at school for the first time proves nerve-wracking—more for them than for Rosa herself. Despite their best intentions, their nervous energy ends up heightening Rosa’s own anxiety.
“I haven’t raised a teenager myself—my own kids are still very young,” Ruah explained. “But I’ll grow to understand them gradually, from the moment they’re born. Kensi and Deeks didn’t get that same chance with Rosa. They’re getting to know her as she already is: a young adult with her own experiences and trauma.”
Kensi and Rosa’s bond is already rooted in a life-altering escape they shared in Mexico, making their dynamic especially intense and layered.
“They’re trying to be great parents while learning on the go,” Ruah added. “And as any parent knows, the pressure to get everything right is enormous—even though what kids really need is love, safety, and someone who shows up.”
Elsewhere in the premiere, Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Kilbride (Gerald McRaney) receive troubling intelligence: a deceased body discovered in Syria matches the physical description of Hetty (Linda Hunt), last seen in that region. Whether it’s actually her remains a mystery.
Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill previously stated, “Hetty’s story continues,” which has kept fans hopeful for her return. Ruah commented on the secrecy surrounding the character’s fate: “That’s something Scott keeps very close to the vest. What I can say is that we’re led to investigate a body found near her last known location, and that opens up more questions. But beyond that, I honestly don’t know what’s next.”
Still, while the storylines drive each episode forward, Ruah insists the emotional depth of the characters is the true core of the show.
“The cases are what push the plot forward, but what really keeps viewers engaged are the relationships and emotional journeys,” she said.
During the interview, Ruah also reflected on how fostering Rosa has changed Kensi, discussed directing two episodes this season, and shared her thoughts on the newest cast additions — Caleb Castille and Medalion Rahimi. She even spoke about the possibility of sticking with the series long enough to see a potential 20th season.
In one scene from the premiere, Kensi interacts with a woman grieving the loss of her father — a moment that feels different now that Kensi herself is a mother. Could that scene have triggered a moment of reflection, where she imagined Rosa in a similar position?
“That’s a really thoughtful point,” Ruah said. “It wasn’t written that way, but it shows how viewers interpret scenes through their own lens. Kensi lost her father too, so she definitely empathizes with someone going through that pain. Now that she’s a parent, those emotions carry even more weight.”
