When NCIS: Los Angeles ended in 2023, fans hoped Eric Christian Olsen’s beloved Marty Deeks might resurface somewhere in the NCIS universe. Instead, Olsen surprised viewers with a very different CBS return — not as an agent, but as a creative force behind the scenes.
After 14 seasons as Deeks, Olsen pivoted into producing, taking on a key role as executive producer of CBS’s reimagined Matlock. Starring Academy Award winner Kathy Bates, the reboot trades firearms and field ops for courtroom strategy and sharp legal drama. For Olsen, it marks a deliberate career evolution from fan-favorite actor to storyteller with creative control.
While a Deeks comeback remains unlikely, Olsen hasn’t ruled out appearing on Matlock — just not as the wisecracking detective fans know. His move reflects a growing trend of long-running TV stars stepping behind the camera to shape the next generation of network hits.
