Inside Kensi’s Powerful Mental Health Journey — And Why It Meant So Much to the NCIS: Los Angeles Stars
For over a decade, NCIS: Los Angeles has delivered gripping cases and heart-pounding action. But Season 8 gave fans something deeper: an emotionally raw, season-spanning arc that explored what happens when one of the show’s strongest agents, Kensi Blye, is physically and emotionally shaken to her core. It’s a storyline that not only pushed the character but also gave series star Daniela Ruah some of the most intense material of her career — and co-star Eric Christian Olsen (Marty Deeks) took notice.
“She’s dealing with things that are almost insurmountable on paper,” Olsen said. “Hands down, it’s the best work Dani has ever done on the show.”
In the emotional arc, Kensi is injured in a helicopter crash and diagnosed with Brown-Séquard syndrome, a rare and incomplete spinal cord injury that jeopardizes her future on the team. But the real challenge wasn’t just physical. The series explored Kensi’s internal battle as she struggled with uncertainty, depression, and identity — all things many viewers have quietly endured themselves.
The Realness Behind the Role
Speaking to Glamour, Ruah admitted that taking on the storyline initially gave her pause. “It had more permanent repercussions at first — very aggressive,” she revealed. “Even though I’m not Kensi, I am Kensi. She’s an extension of me.”
For Ruah, the emotional toll of the story was amplified by the way the show chose to handle it — slowly, and over time. “Things are usually quick and snappy on this show… but this storyline took up most of the season,” she explained. “We actually shot all of these scenes in about a week, covering over 10 episodes. I never had to let go of the emotional side of things.”
The Breaking Point—and the Strength in Asking for Help
One standout moment saw Kensi finally sit down with a team psychologist to face her fears about returning to work — and life — as the person she used to be.
“It’s OK to be broken, even if you’re a strong person,” Ruah said. “It’s OK to ask for help. That’s the only way you’ll really heal.”
The honesty in those moments resonated deeply with fans, and with Ruah herself. Having spoken to real individuals with similar injuries, she brought raw authenticity to a character typically defined by fierce independence. “The frustration of not being able to take care of yourself — I could relate to that,” she shared. “I don’t like people waiting on me.”
Why Strong Female Characters Need to Show Cracks
Ruah also reflected on how her approach to portraying Kensi evolved since joining the cast at age 24. “Back then I didn’t want to be the girl who cries in the scenes. I thought Kensi wouldn’t do that,” she said. “But we’ve been told for so long that doing things ‘like a girl’ is weak. I think strong female characters are important — but so are their cracks.”
The show allowed Kensi to be both: a fierce field agent and a woman dealing with trauma, fear, and healing. That duality, Ruah believes, is what makes her journey powerful — and necessary. “You don’t have to be ‘one of the boys’ to play with the boys. It’s OK to be who you are.”
The Densi Connection: Love Through the Pain
Through it all, Kensi’s relationship with Deeks was a lifeline — but even that had its complications. When Deeks proposed, Kensi couldn’t say yes. “She’s not ready to let herself be happy,” Ruah explained. “She doesn’t want to burden him. But of course, when you love someone, you take care of them no matter what.”
Despite the emotional distance, Ruah believes Deeks and Kensi are built to last. “They’ve been through so much. That’s not a bond you can break,” she said. “They deserve to be together.”
The Message That Matters
For both the actors and the audience, Kensi’s mental health storyline offered more than just drama — it offered truth. “This was a huge challenge,” Ruah said. “But if even one person watches and feels like it’s OK to reach out for help, then we did something right.”
And that, in a show filled with explosions and espionage, might just be the most powerful mission of all.
