Chris O’Donnell is finally opening up about the NCIS: Los Angeles finale fans never got—the long-discussed movie that nearly became a reality. In a recent conversation with TV Line, the actor admitted that saying goodbye to G. Callen after 14 seasons was harder than viewers realized, especially with a potential wrap-up film lingering in the background.
The cast had pitched a TV movie following the series’ cancellation, hoping to give the franchise a true final chapter.
“We suggested it, actually,” O’Donnell revealed. “But I don’t think that formula works real well for CBS… It was tough to leave because everyone just loved working with each other.”
A six-week shoot was even considered during the writers’ strike, but the project stalled before it ever got off the ground. While NCIS: LA never matched the flagship show’s decades-long run, its core team—O’Donnell, LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna, and Eric Christian Olsen’s Deeks—built a loyal audience and a legacy of their own.
Still, the characters haven’t fully disappeared. Sam Hanna has already resurfaced across the franchise, and O’Donnell admitted he was pleasantly surprised to learn Callen is still happily with Anna—and expecting a baby—off-screen. There may be no movie, but the ending is still a warm one.
What Chris O’Donnell Is Doing Next
After stepping away from Callen, O’Donnell isn’t slowing down. He’s joining the 9-1-1 universe in 9-1-1: Nashville, playing Captain Don Sharpe—husband to Jessica Capshaw’s character and father to a fellow firefighter. It’s a departure from the stoic federal agent he embodied for more than a decade.
Filming has yet to begin, but the series is slated to premiere in September 2025, and O’Donnell teased a fresh tone: this new role is nothing like G. Callen.
The On-Set Moment His Wife Almost Stole the Scene
O’Donnell also shared a memorable behind-the-scenes story from his time directing NCIS: LA. Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he recalled an episode where his wife and her friends were cast as extras. During a tense shootout scene, he noticed something was… off.
“They’re all laughing hysterically… still carrying real champagne,” he said with a laugh.
His first thought: Guys, you’re gonna get me fired.
Though the moment caused chaos during playback, production quickly recovered. O’Donnell directed three episodes of NCIS: LA, though his last was in 2015. With the franchise continuing to expand and celebrate milestones, a return behind the camera isn’t impossible—though next time, he may enforce stricter guest-extra rules.
