For over a decade, Chris O’Donnell brought quiet intensity, leadership, and a dash of mystery to millions of homes each week as Special Agent G. Callen on NCIS: Los Angeles. Now, just over a year after bidding farewell to the long-running CBS juggernaut, O’Donnell is back in uniform—though this time, he’s trading covert operations for firehouse command and FBI dossiers for cowboy grit. His next role? Captain Don Sharpe in the highly anticipated 9-1-1 spin-off, 9-1-1: Nashville. And according to fans and insiders alike, it’s the kind of comeback that feels not only earned, but electrifyingly right.
From Callen to Captain: A Transformation in Uniform
Chris O’Donnell’s new character, Captain Don Sharpe, is a far cry from the emotionally reserved, detail-obsessed federal agent we came to know on NCIS: LA. Described as a “rugged fire captain and rodeo rider who runs Nashville’s busiest firehouse with his son by his side,” Sharpe presents a complex blend of masculine strength and parental vulnerability—qualities O’Donnell has always managed to balance with finesse.
While G. Callen often operated in the shadows, Sharpe will be front and center, wrangling both blazing infernos and family dynamics in the heart of Tennessee. The cowboy angle is a thrilling departure, offering O’Donnell the chance to flex not just his dramatic muscles, but his physicality in a more grounded, blue-collar world.
The Procedural Pro Returns—But With Southern Swagger
O’Donnell isn’t just stepping into any new series—he’s joining 9-1-1: Nashville, the latest expansion of Ryan Murphy and Tim Minear’s sprawling 9-1-1 universe, which has already found success in Los Angeles and Austin. With the franchise known for its adrenaline-pumping emergencies and high-stakes emotional arcs, Nashville is poised to bring a musical, culturally rich backdrop to the life-and-death scenarios fans crave.
It’s a genre O’Donnell knows intimately. After 14 years helming one of television’s most-watched procedural dramas, he brings a wealth of experience in balancing serialized storytelling with week-to-week intensity. Yet what’s most exciting is that 9-1-1: Nashville doesn’t feel like a lateral move—it feels like a reinvention.
“Don Sharpe is a leader who lives with the scars of the job—and of his past,” an insider from the production shared. “Chris brings that perfect mix of resilience, warmth, and edge. He is this character.”
A Family Man With Secrets: Sound Familiar?
Captain Sharpe is more than a firehouse hero—he’s a husband, a father, and a man with secrets. That last detail will no doubt pique the interest of longtime O’Donnell fans, who watched Callen slowly peel back the layers of his own murky backstory over the years. Now, O’Donnell is diving into a new character with similarly buried truths—only this time, it’s through the lens of fatherhood, legacy, and survival in a high-risk profession.
The addition of Sharpe’s son as a key character in the series opens up an entirely new emotional thread for O’Donnell to explore—one that taps into themes of generational trauma, mentorship, and the cost of bravery. And if 9-1-1: Nashville leans into these themes, O’Donnell may find himself leading not just a squad, but a show rich in emotional resonance.
The Nashville Factor: A Setting Ripe for Drama
While NCIS: Los Angeles gave O’Donnell sun-soaked danger and tech-fueled crimes, Nashville offers something more grounded and soulful. The city’s blend of Southern charm, music, and tightly knit community lends itself to deeply human stories. There’s room for grit, but also grace—for fiery rescues, but also family BBQs, barn dances, and intimate character development.
“The tone of Nashville is going to be different,” the show’s showrunner recently revealed. “It’s about community resilience. It’s about the people who show up—every day, every night, for each other.”
It’s that sentiment, coupled with O’Donnell’s quiet charisma, that could make this series the breakout procedural hit of the year.
Why This Role Is a Win for Everyone
For O’Donnell, this role checks all the boxes: a central, emotionally rich character; a genre he excels in; and a franchise with proven staying power. For fans, it’s a gift—a chance to see him lead again, but in a way that feels new and deeply resonant.
After spending nearly 15 years operating under the weight of G. Callen’s secrets, Chris O’Donnell is stepping into the boots of a man whose secrets are more personal, more grounded—and perhaps even more explosive. It’s not just a comeback. It’s a transformation.
Final Take: He’s Not Just Back—He’s Evolved
With 9-1-1: Nashville, Chris O’Donnell isn’t simply re-entering the procedural spotlight—he’s redefining it. As Captain Don Sharpe, he’s poised to deliver one of his most layered performances yet, proving that some stars don’t fade after a series ends—they just find a bigger sky to shine in.
O’Donnell may have said goodbye to G. Callen, but it’s clear he’s not done leading. He’s just getting started—this time, with a cowboy hat, a fire hose, and a hell of a lot more heart.
