Chris O’Donnell Saddles Up for His Next Big Role on ABC
Chris O’Donnell is trading his NCIS badge for a firefighter’s helmet—and fans couldn’t be more thrilled. After wrapping a 14-season run as Special Agent G. Callen on CBS’s NCIS: Los Angeles, O’Donnell is officially returning to network TV in a bold new direction.
The actor is set to lead 9-1-1: Nashville, the latest high-stakes spin-off in ABC’s ever-expanding 9-1-1 universe, created by drama powerhouses Rashad Raisani, Ryan Murphy, and Tim Minear.
🔥 Meet Captain Don Sharpe
In this next chapter, O’Donnell stars as Captain Don Sharpe, a rugged fire captain and rodeo rider who commands Nashville’s busiest firehouse. Described as a devoted family man with a few secrets of his own, Sharpe is shaping up to be every bit as complex and charismatic as G. Callen—just with more flames and cowboy boots.
“He’s got the same edge and mystery we loved in Callen,” a production insider shares. “But Don Sharpe brings something new—he’s a protector, a father, and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.”
🚒 Life After Callen
For NCIS: Los Angeles fans, this move marks a full-circle moment. When the long-running procedural aired its finale in May 2023, viewers said goodbye to one of TV’s most enduring action stars. Over 14 years, O’Donnell brought depth and quiet intensity to Callen, helping to anchor the series alongside LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna.
Though the curtain closed on OSP, O’Donnell hinted he wasn’t finished with television. “The beauty of a long run is that you get to grow with the character,” he said in a past interview. “But the beauty of a new role is getting to start fresh—with everything you’ve learned.”
🎬 A New Chapter in the 9-1-1 Universe
9-1-1: Nashville joins ABC’s mainline series 9-1-1, which made the jump from FOX, while 9-1-1: Lone Star ended earlier this year after five seasons. With Nashville’s vibrant culture and high-stakes emergencies, this new entry promises to blend country grit with heart-pounding drama.
O’Donnell’s casting brings star power and a built-in audience. “We know viewers who followed him for years on NCIS: LA will want to see what he does next,” says an ABC source.
Production is currently underway in Tennessee, and while casting for Sharpe’s family and squad remains under wraps, the buzz is building.
🗓 Coming This Fall
9-1-1: Nashville premieres this fall on ABC.
Saddle up—Chris O’Donnell is back, and this time, the heat is literal.
