Chris O’Donnell may be gearing up for his next big procedural role, but he hasn’t forgotten the show that defined fourteen years of his career. In a new interview with TVLine’s Matt Webb Mitovich, the NCIS: Los Angeles star revealed that he and his castmates actually tried to revive the series — and even pitched a television movie to wrap up unfinished storylines.
O’Donnell, who played Special Agent G. Callen opposite LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna and Eric Christian Olsen’s Marty Deeks, said he fully supported the idea of a post-series movie.
“We suggested it, actually. But I don’t think that formula works real well for CBS,” O’Donnell said.
According to him, the idea gained momentum during the writers’ strike, when the cast began discussing the possibility of putting together a movie in just six weeks. Despite their enthusiasm, the network wasn’t interested, and the concept never moved forward.
Leaving the long-running show wasn’t easy for the cast.
“It was tough to leave because everyone just loved working with each other,” O’Donnell reflected.
Some NCIS: LA characters continue to live on in other corners of the franchise — Sam Hanna, for instance, recently appeared in NCIS: Hawai‘i. O’Donnell was surprised (and pleased) to learn during the interview that Callen and Anna are now expecting a baby in the NCIS universe. But for the actor himself, the focus has shifted to new horizons.
Chris O’Donnell Sets His Sights on a New Procedural
A few years after NCIS: LA ended, O’Donnell is returning to network drama in another high-profile spin-off. The Batman & Robin star is joining 9-1-1: Nashville, expanding the hit first-responder franchise that already includes 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star.
While promoting the series, O’Donnell revealed that he will play Captain Don Sharpe — though he kept most details under wraps. What he did confirm is that Sharpe is married to Jessica Capshaw’s character and that their son also works at the fire department. Beyond that, he emphasized that Sharpe will be nothing like G. Callen.
Filming has not yet begun, but the new spin-off is slated to premiere in September 2025.
