From the moment NCIS: Los Angeles premiered in 2009, fans sensed something special between Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J. Their on-screen partnership as Callen and Sam Hanna felt less like scripted chemistry and more like genuine brotherhood — and, as O’Donnell now confirms, that feeling was real.
“We can drive each other crazy,” O’Donnell once joked. “But that’s what brothers do.”
Over 14 seasons and more than 300 episodes, their relationship grew from co-stars to family. Long hours on set forged deep trust, while off-screen, their lives intertwined: shared milestones, family gatherings, and children growing up together. What audiences watched unfold on-screen mirrored what was happening behind the scenes.
When NCIS: LA ended in 2023, it closed a rare chapter in television history — one partner, one cast, one bond sustained for over a decade. But the friendship didn’t end with the final scene. The two continue to collaborate creatively, proving their connection goes far beyond badges and scripts.
