More than a year after NCIS: Los Angeles signed off in 2023, Chris O’Donnell is finally addressing the behind-the-scenes push to bring the beloved team back for one last mission.
The actor, who headlined the series for all 14 seasons as G. Callen, revealed to TVLine that the cast had seriously explored the idea of an NCIS: LA movie. The goal: wrap up lingering storylines and give fans a proper goodbye.
“We actually pitched it,” O’Donnell said, explaining that the idea came together during the 2023 Hollywood strikes. “We were all thinking, ‘We could shoot one of these in six weeks.’ But it’s not a format CBS seems to favor.”
Despite the enthusiasm, the project stalled — leaving the cast feeling the sting of an abrupt farewell. “It was hard to walk away,” he added. “Everyone genuinely loved working together.”
With the movie off the table, O’Donnell is shifting gears to his next chapter: 9-1-1: Nashville. The new ABC drama, set to premiere in fall 2025, will introduce him as Captain Don Sharpe, a firefighter and family man. Filming begins in June, and O’Donnell says he’s excited to immerse himself in a city he’s only briefly passed through.
“I’m looking forward to the culture, the music — just soaking it all in,” he shared.
Still, he remains grateful for his years with the NCIS franchise. “Callen was such a great character. That team felt like family,” O’Donnell said. “Now it’s time to build something new.”
