The End of an Era, The Dawn of New Horizons: Daniela Ruah Reflects on NCIS LA‘s Demands and Her Foray into Directing
For fourteen seasons, Daniela Ruah captivated audiences as the formidable Special Agent Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles. Her portrayal of the tough yet compassionate agent became a cornerstone of the long-running procedural, earning her a dedicated fanbase. However, with the series concluding its successful run, Ruah has recently opened up about the demanding nature of her time on the show, admitting that she often found the experience “exhausting.” This candid reflection comes as she enthusiastically embraces a new chapter in her career, stepping behind the camera to direct episodes of other popular television series, including within the NCIS universe itself and beyond.
A Decade in Boots: The Rigors of Life as Kensi Blye
Spending over a decade embodying a complex and physically demanding character like Kensi Blye inevitably takes its toll. Ruah’s role required her to engage in intense action sequences, navigate intricate storylines, and maintain a consistent level of emotional depth. The demanding shooting schedule, often spanning ten months out of the year, coupled with the need to constantly delve into the high-stakes world of law enforcement and espionage, understandably contributed to a sense of exhaustion over time.
In past interviews, Ruah has spoken about the dedication and focus required to inhabit Kensi, highlighting the mental and physical energy invested in bringing the character to life week after week. While she clearly cherished her time on the show and the strong bonds she formed with her cast and crew, the sheer longevity and intensity of the role undoubtedly presented its challenges. The process of constantly slipping into and out of character, while becoming second nature after so many years, still requires a significant amount of mental bandwidth.
Stepping Behind the Lens: A New Challenge and a Different Kind of Tired
Since the conclusion of NCIS: Los Angeles, Daniela Ruah has enthusiastically embraced a new role: that of a director. She has helmed episodes of NCIS: Hawai’i and, more recently, an episode of The Equalizer. This transition marks a significant shift in her professional life, moving from the demanding physical and emotional performance of acting to the intricate and multifaceted responsibilities of directing.
Interestingly, Ruah herself has acknowledged that directing, while a passion she is clearly embracing, presents its own unique kind of exhaustion. In interviews, she has described the increased mental focus and energy required to oversee all aspects of an episode, from working with actors and the crew to making crucial creative decisions. While the physical demands of performing action sequences may be lessened, the mental and emotional investment in directing can be equally, if not more, taxing. As the “driver of the train” on set, the director carries a significant weight of responsibility for the final product.
The Appeal of Directing: A Creative Evolution for Ruah
Despite the admitted exhaustion that comes with directing, it’s clear that Daniela Ruah finds immense satisfaction and creative fulfillment in this new role. Directing allows her to utilize her extensive experience in the television industry from a different perspective, contributing to the storytelling process in a more holistic way.
Her experience as an actor provides her with a unique understanding of the needs and challenges faced by performers, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment on set. Furthermore, directing allows her to explore different genres and narratives, expanding her creative horizons beyond the procedural world she inhabited for so long on NCIS: Los Angeles. Her recent work on The Equalizer, a procedural with its own distinct tone and style, demonstrates her versatility and her eagerness to embrace new challenges behind the camera.
A Fond Farewell, A Bright Future: Ruah’s Enduring Connection to the NCIS Universe
While Daniela Ruah has spoken candidly about the exhausting nature of her long tenure on NCIS: Los Angeles, her return to the NCIS universe to direct episodes highlights her continued connection to the franchise and the strong relationships she built over the years. This demonstrates a sense of loyalty and a willingness to contribute to the world that provided her with such a significant platform.
Her directing work within the NCIS universe also offers a potential avenue for future on-screen appearances as Kensi Blye, much to the delight of fans who miss her presence. While her focus has clearly shifted towards directing, the door remains open for potential cameos or guest appearances, further solidifying her legacy within the NCIS family.
Conclusion: Daniela Ruah Embraces New Challenges After an “Exhausting” but Fulfilling Chapter
Daniela Ruah’s honest reflection on the demanding nature of her time as Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles provides a glimpse into the realities of long-term television work. However, her enthusiastic embrace of directing as her new primary role showcases her adaptability, her creative drive, and her continued passion for the entertainment industry. While directing presents its own set of challenges and its own brand of exhaustion, it’s clear that Ruah has found a new avenue for her talents, one that allows her to contribute to the magic of television from a different and equally rewarding perspective. As she continues to helm episodes of series like The Equalizer and potentially future NCIS installments, fans can look forward to seeing her creative vision unfold behind the camera, marking an exciting new chapter in her already impressive career.
