For over a decade, Daniela Ruah brought heart, grit, and razor-sharp edge to the role of Special Agent Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles. Now that the series has ended after 14 action-packed seasons, fans around the world are asking: what’s next for this dynamic and fearless talent?
Let’s rewind, fast forward, and spotlight what Daniela Ruah has done, where she’s going, and why she remains one of TV’s most compelling figures.
🌟 The Making of a TV Icon
When NCIS: Los Angeles premiered in 2009, few could have predicted the chemistry between Ruah’s Kensi Blye and Eric Christian Olsen’s Marty Deeks would become the emotional backbone of the series. Their slow-burn romance, packed with danger, loyalty, and banter, kept fans coming back season after season.
Kensi wasn’t just another federal agent. She was a sniper, a trauma survivor, a romantic, and a fighter. And Daniela Ruah infused her with authenticity that elevated the show from a procedural to a story worth feeling.
🇵🇹 A Global Career, A Portuguese Heart
While U.S. audiences came to know Ruah as Kensi, she was already a well-established name in Portugal. Born in Boston but raised in Lisbon, she began acting as a teen in Portuguese soap operas like Jardins Proibidos and Tu e Eu. Bilingual, charismatic, and deeply grounded in both cultures, she’s uniquely positioned as a crossover star.
After NCIS: LA, Ruah returned to her roots, taking on a new role—television host. In 2023, she hosted the Portuguese edition of The Traitors, proving she could shine off-script as much as she did in character.
🎥 What She’s Done Beyond Kensi
While NCIS: LA was her biggest hit, Ruah’s résumé includes:
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Red Tails (2012): A WWII action drama produced by George Lucas.
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The Man Who Came Back (2008): A gritty Western co-starring Eric Braeden.
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Hosting Eurovision 2018: Yes, that was Ruah on stage in Lisbon dazzling millions across Europe.
Behind the camera, she directed several episodes of NCIS: LA, showcasing her talent for storytelling. Sources close to the actress say she’s currently developing a Portuguese-American drama series, which she intends to direct and star in.
💔 Kensi and Deeks May Be Over, But the Love Lives On
Fans still grieve the end of NCIS: LA, especially the departure of Kensi and Deeks, one of the franchise’s most beloved couples. Ruah and Olsen’s real-life friendship continues, and while a spin-off or movie remains a distant dream (CBS passed on a proposed film), the door doesn’t feel completely closed.
“I’d love to revisit her if the story’s right,” Ruah hinted in a 2024 interview.
🚀 What’s Next? Ruah’s Future in Hollywood
With NCIS: LA behind her, Ruah has more freedom than ever to explore passion projects. Insiders suggest she’s being courted for streaming series and limited dramas, both in Europe and the U.S. Her unique ability to cross genres and cultures makes her a major asset in a global market.
Also on the table: a lead role in a new Netflix crime thriller, currently in development for 2026. Details are scarce, but if confirmed, it could be her most intense role yet—think Kensi, but darker, grittier, and less bound by protocol.
✨ Why Daniela Ruah Still Matters
In a sea of actors who fade after one big show, Daniela Ruah is doing the opposite—expanding, evolving, and staying true to her roots. Whether she’s playing a fearless agent, hosting a reality show, or stepping behind the camera, Ruah proves that being a multi-hyphenate isn’t just trendy—it’s essential.
Kensi Blye may be retired from active duty, but Daniela Ruah? She’s just getting started.
📌 QUICK FACTS
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Languages: Fluent in Portuguese and English
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First acting role: Portuguese soap opera Jardins Proibidos (1999)
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Married to: David Paul Olsen (brother of Eric Christian Olsen)
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Notable crossover: Appeared in Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS
