For 14 seasons, NCIS: Los Angeles delivered high-stakes cases, heart-pounding action, and emotionally charged character arcs that made it one of the most beloved crime dramas in the CBS lineup. A spin-off of the original NCIS series, the show centered on a specialized team within the Office of Special Projects (OSP), tackling undercover assignments and international threats from its Los Angeles base.
But the series wouldn’t have achieved its legacy without its unforgettable cast. These actors didn’t just portray elite agents and tech geniuses—they built a family onscreen and off. Here’s an in-depth look at the core stars of NCIS: Los Angeles, where their journeys on the show took them, and what they’ve been up to since the finale aired in 2023.
Chris O’Donnell as Special Agent G. Callen: The Enigmatic Leader
As the stoic and mysterious leader of the OSP team, G. Callen was a man whose past haunted him. For Chris O’Donnell, this role was a career milestone. Already a household name thanks to films like Scent of a Woman, Batman Forever, and The Bachelor, O’Donnell became a steady presence in primetime for over a decade.
Behind the scenes, he was known as the calm, grounding force of the cast. Since wrapping NCIS: LA, he’s stepped into executive producing and reunited with LL Cool J for other creative projects, including their reality series Come Dance with Me.
LL Cool J as Sam Hanna: The Warrior With a Heart
Two-time Grammy Award winner LL Cool J brought intensity, loyalty, and vulnerability to Sam Hanna, a former Navy SEAL and Callen’s most trusted partner. Fans loved Hanna’s emotional depth—especially in storylines involving his family and military past.
LL Cool J had already conquered the music world before joining the show, but NCIS: LA showed off his acting chops in a new light. After the series ended, he made a surprise return to the NCIS franchise, joining NCIS: Hawai’i in Season 3, thrilling longtime fans. He continues to balance acting, producing, and musical performances. 
Daniela Ruah as Kensi Blye: The Tough Agent With a Tender Core
Portuguese-American actress Daniela Ruah portrayed Kensi Blye, a sniper-turned-agent whose bravery and resilience made her a fan favorite. Her onscreen relationship with LAPD liaison Marty Deeks (played by Eric Christian Olsen) was one of the show’s most heartfelt long-term romances.
Ruah brought both strength and grace to Kensi, and offscreen, she directed several episodes in later seasons. Post-NCIS: LA, she returned to her roots in Portuguese television, co-hosted Eurovision, and is rumored to be developing a European-American crime series of her own. 
Eric Christian Olsen as Marty Deeks: The Comic Relief Turned Emotional Anchor
Initially introduced as comic relief, Marty Deeks evolved into one of the show’s most emotionally nuanced characters. Eric Christian Olsen’s portrayal of the wisecracking LAPD detective-turned-NCIS investigator struck a perfect balance between humor and heart.
Olsen, who came from a background in teen comedies and drama series like Not Another Teen Movie and 24, stayed with NCIS: LA until the final season. Since then, he’s focused on his production company, Cloud Nine, and is developing a new police drama for a major streaming service.
Linda Hunt as Hetty Lange: The Mysterious Matriarch
Academy Award winner Linda Hunt brought unmatched gravitas to Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, the pint-sized but iron-willed OSP Operations Manager. Known for her cryptic one-liners and mysterious past, Hetty quickly became a cornerstone of the series.
Hunt won her Oscar for The Year of Living Dangerously and had a long theater career before NCIS: LA. Health concerns limited her appearances in the later seasons, but she made a triumphant return in the series finale. Today, Hunt enjoys retirement from screen work, though she remains a revered figure in Hollywood.
Barrett Foa as Eric Beale: The Quirky Tech Genius
Tech wizard Eric Beale was a fan favorite from the start, thanks to Barrett Foa’s energetic and endearing performance. Eric provided comic relief but also helped crack major cases with his cyber expertise.
A Broadway veteran, Foa brought a theatrical spark to the show’s tech-heavy plotlines. He departed the series in Season 12 but returned for the finale. These days, he splits his time between stage work, advocacy, and podcast hosting focused on LGBTQ+ representation in media.
Renée Felice Smith as Nell Jones: The Brainy Analyst Turned Leader
As Nell Jones, Smith played the team’s diminutive but formidable intelligence analyst who eventually stepped into Hetty’s shoes. With her vast knowledge and quiet determination, Nell’s arc from rookie to leader resonated with fans.
Smith began acting at age six and brought both warmth and steel to her role. After leaving in Season 12, she pursued writing and filmmaking. Her debut children’s book and independent film projects have earned critical praise.
Nia Long as Shay Mosley: The Power Player
Shay Mosley, introduced in Season 9, added a new level of tension and structure to the team. Played by film and TV powerhouse Nia Long, Mosley served as the NCIS Executive Assistant Director for Pacific Operations. Her backstory involving a son and a cartel ex made for one of the show’s most emotionally charged arcs.
Long’s decades-long career includes roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Love Jones, and The Best Man franchise. Since her departure from NCIS: LA, she’s starred in Netflix’s Fatal Affair and Apple TV+’s Swagger.
A Legacy of Loyalty and Longevity
What kept fans coming back to NCIS: Los Angeles wasn’t just the action—it was the camaraderie, the evolving relationships, and the layered performances delivered by a stellar cast. Whether investigating terrorist cells, confronting ghosts of the past, or simply sharing drinks at The Squid and Dagger, these characters became part of television history.
As the cast moves on to new ventures, the legacy of NCIS: LA remains intact—a testament to what can happen when storytelling, casting, and heart collide.
And in true Hetty fashion, we’ll leave you with this: The mission may be over, but the impact is eternal.
