For 14 seasons, Daniela Ruah defined NCIS: Los Angeles as the fearless Kensi Blye. Now, she’s stepping into a new spotlight — and it’s behind the camera. With tonight’s episode of The Equalizer titled “Deception,” Ruah makes a confident return to primetime not as an actor, but as a director.
Though procedurals remain her comfort zone, this marks a meaningful shift beyond the NCIS universe. Ruah has quietly built her directing résumé over the years, helming episodes of NCIS: LA, NCIS, and NCIS: Hawai‘i. But The Equalizer, led by Queen Latifah, represents her boldest leap yet.
Ruah says the transition was intentional, earned through persistence and preparation — not connections. As she continues expanding her creative reach, one thing is clear: leaving Kensi behind wasn’t an ending. It was the start of Daniela Ruah’s next chapter.