As Chris O’Donnell gears up for his next TV chapter, he’s taking a moment to look back at the show that defined more than a decade of his career. In a recent conversation with TV Line, the former NCIS: Los Angeles star revealed that the cast made a real attempt to continue the series after its 2023 finale — even pitching a made-for-TV movie to wrap up lingering storylines.
“We actually brought it up,” O’Donnell said. “But that format isn’t something CBS really embraces.”
During the Hollywood writers’ strike, the actors even joked that they could pull the whole thing off in six weeks. Ultimately, the project never moved forward. “It was tough to walk away,” he admitted. “We genuinely loved working together.”
Despite the end of the series, the NCIS universe has kept the characters alive. O’Donnell was surprised to learn during the interview that Callen is still married to Anna — and expecting a baby — while LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna continues popping up across the franchise.
Now, O’Donnell is returning to the world of high-stakes drama with 9-1-1: Nashville, the newest installment of the hit franchise. He’ll star as Captain Don Sharpe, a family man and firehouse leader — a very different energy from the guarded and tactical Callen. Filming begins soon, and O’Donnell will share the screen with Jessica Capshaw, who plays his on-screen wife, and an adult son who also works at the firehouse.
9-1-1: Nashville is set to premiere in September 2025, marking a fresh start for the longtime procedural star — even as fans continue to hope for one last NCIS: LA reunion someday.
