After spending 14 seasons on “NCIS: Los Angeles,” Chris O’Donnell is stepping into a new role — and a new city — with the upcoming series “9-1-1 Nashville.”
The actor will portray Captain Dan Hart, a tough firefighter at the center of the emergency drama. Speaking with Extra, O’Donnell shared that the project marks a fresh chapter in his career.
The role required him to relocate to Nashville, a city he had never visited before. Despite the big change, O’Donnell says the move brought a welcome sense of renewal.
“Fourteen years in L.A. was an incredible experience,” he explained. “But moving to Nashville for a new show, with a completely different cast and crew, brought a whole new energy. Sometimes change is exactly what you need.”
The timing of the move also aligned with challenges his family faced after wildfires forced them out of their Pacific Palisades home last year. They spent eight months away before finally returning as rebuilding continues in the area.
While adjusting to Nashville, O’Donnell had help from co-star LeAnn Rimes, the country music star who also appears in the series.
“It was fun to see her in her element,” he said.
The show also pushes O’Donnell into new territory, as his character happens to be a rodeo rider — something the actor admits he had little experience with before filming.