Daniela Ruah is taking a major step forward in her creative career. Best known for her 14-season run on NCIS: Los Angeles, the actor is now set to make her feature film directing debut with Nowhere Boy, an adaptation of Katherine Marsh’s young adult novel.
The story follows Ahmed, a teenage refugee whose escape from conflict with his father ends in tragedy during their journey to Europe. Alone in Brussels, Ahmed’s hope of reaching England begins to fade. Seeking safety, he hides inside a house occupied by an American family, where he meets Max, a 13-year-old boy living upstairs. The boys’ unexpected friendship becomes a lifeline, offering connection and meaning at a time when everything else has been stripped away.
The screenplay is being adapted by Anastasia Kousakis, who previously worked with Ruah on NCIS: Los Angeles. The project is being produced by Matthew Baer, whose credits include the Oscar-nominated film Unbroken. A production start date has yet to be announced.
Nowhere Boy will be produced through Ruah’s company Merkaba Films, which currently has several projects in development. Ruah has already built directing experience on television, having directed multiple episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles, making this feature debut a natural next step.
Beyond Nowhere Boy, Ruah recently appeared in the Portuguese-language HBO Max miniseries O Grito. She is also scheduled to reunite later this year with former NCIS: Los Angeles co-star Natalia del Riego in the upcoming film And Then She Was Gone.