After more than a decade of kicking down doors and tracking down criminals as Special Agent Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles, Daniela Ruah is trading in her badge — for a director’s chair.
The actress has officially wrapped production on her feature directorial debut, a gritty, character-driven crime thriller that’s already generating buzz across industry circles. The project — still under wraps title-wise — is slated for release later this year, and Ruah couldn’t be more energized about the leap into filmmaking.
“Directing has always been in the back of my mind,” Ruah shared in a recent interview. “Being on NCIS: LA for so long taught me how to read a scene not just as an actor, but through the lens of the entire production.”
🎥 A Gritty First Step
The film follows a former undercover operative drawn back into a world of lies and deception after a decades-old informant resurfaces. Described as Sicario meets Prisoners, the project marks a distinct tonal shift from the procedural rhythms of NCIS: LA, but fans will recognize Ruah’s fingerprints all over it: tight suspense, morally complex leads, and emotionally high-stakes action.
“I wanted to explore what happens to people when the system they serve betrays them,” Ruah explained. “The world isn’t black and white — and neither are the people in it.”
🎬 From On-Screen Star to Behind-the-Scenes Force
Ruah isn’t a newcomer to directing — she previously helmed several episodes of NCIS: LA in its final seasons. But this marks her first time commanding an entire feature.
“Watching our showrunners and directors work over the years gave me an unofficial masterclass in storytelling,” she said. “Now, I’m telling stories that reflect what I’ve always wanted to see onscreen — complicated heroes, strong women, and narratives that hit you emotionally as well as visually.”
🌟 NCIS Family Shows Support
Many of Ruah’s former NCIS: LA co-stars have voiced their support. Eric Christian Olsen, her longtime on-screen partner, reposted the project’s teaser announcement with the caption, “From agent to auteur. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
Even LL Cool J chimed in, tweeting, “She’s just getting started. Can’t wait to see what D cooks up behind the camera.”
🎞️ What’s Next for Daniela Ruah?
With her film debut on the horizon and growing interest from major studios, Ruah is poised to become a fresh voice in the crime genre — both in front of and behind the camera.
“This isn’t a goodbye to acting,” she clarified. “It’s just me stretching my wings.”
As Ruah continues redefining her career, one thing is clear: Kensi Blye may have hung up her holster, but Daniela Ruah’s fire for storytelling is just getting started.
