A Decade in the Trenches: Daniela Ruah Reflects on Kensi Blye and the One Significant Shift She Envisioned for Her NCIS: Los Angeles Icon
For fourteen seasons, Daniela Ruah brought the formidable and fiercely independent Special Agent Kensi Blye to life on NCIS: Los Angeles. Viewers watched Kensi evolve from a lone wolf operative to a loving wife and determined adoptive mother, her journey marked by intense action and profound personal growth. Now, with the series concluded, Daniela Ruah has openly shared a major change she often wished could have been implemented for her character, offering a fascinating glimpse into her creative aspirations for Kensi and sparking intriguing “what if” scenarios among the show’s devoted fanbase.
Beyond the Surface: Understanding Kensi’s Core and Untapped Potential
Kensi Blye was never a one-dimensional action hero. Beneath her tough exterior lay a complex individual shaped by a challenging past and driven by a deep sense of justice. Daniela Ruah masterfully portrayed these layers, creating a character that resonated with audiences through her strength, vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty. However, as an actor inhabiting a role for such an extended period, Ruah naturally developed her own ideas about Kensi’s potential evolution and the unexplored facets of her identity.
The Yearning for Deeper Roots: Ruah’s Wish for Kensi’s Background
In various interviews and fan interactions following the end of NCIS: Los Angeles, Daniela Ruah has revealed a significant change she consistently wished for Kensi Blye: a more explicit exploration of her cultural background and heritage. While the show occasionally touched upon Kensi’s difficult childhood and the influence of her father, a Marine, Ruah, who is Portuguese-American, often envisioned a deeper dive into Kensi’s potential Portuguese ancestry.
This wasn’t about fundamentally altering Kensi’s core identity as a dedicated NCIS agent but rather about enriching her backstory and providing a more nuanced understanding of the experiences and influences that shaped her worldview. Ruah imagined opportunities to weave in elements of Portuguese culture, language, and traditions into Kensi’s life, perhaps through interactions with previously unseen family members, flashbacks to formative experiences, or even cases that connected to her heritage in unexpected ways.
Why This Cultural Exploration Mattered to Ruah: A Personal Connection and a Desire for Richness
Daniela Ruah’s desire to explore Kensi’s potential Portuguese roots stemmed from a deeply personal connection to her own cultural identity. As a Portuguese-American actress, she likely felt a natural inclination to infuse a part of her heritage into the character she portrayed for so long. This wasn’t about imposing her own background onto Kensi but rather about leveraging her understanding of a different culture to add another layer of authenticity and depth to the character’s portrayal.
Furthermore, delving into Kensi’s cultural background could have opened up exciting new avenues for storytelling. It could have provided insights into her values, her perspectives on international relations, and even her unique approach to her work within NCIS. Introducing elements of her heritage could have also created opportunities for compelling interactions with other characters, perhaps leading to humorous cultural misunderstandings or moments of shared cultural appreciation.
Missed Opportunities: Storylines That Could Have Been
While NCIS: Los Angeles explored various aspects of Kensi’s past, including her time in a foster home and her training under Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt), the potential to delve into her Portuguese heritage remained largely untapped. There were several intriguing storylines that could have emerged from this exploration:
- Introducing Family: The arrival of family members from Kensi’s Portuguese side could have shed light on her upbringing and introduced new dynamics into her personal life.
- Cultural Nuances: Weaving in subtle references to Portuguese customs, cuisine, or even snippets of the language could have added a unique flavor to her character.
- International Cases: Storylines involving investigations with connections to Portugal or Portuguese-speaking communities could have allowed Kensi to utilize a hidden aspect of her background.
- Flashback Sequences: Exploring Kensi’s childhood through flashbacks that subtly hinted at her cultural heritage could have provided a richer understanding of her formative years.
This unfulfilled wish highlights the creative possibilities that often exist within long-running series and the unique perspectives that actors bring to their roles.
The Potential Impact: Representation and Broader Appeal
Exploring Kensi’s Portuguese heritage could have also had a significant impact on viewers, particularly those from Portuguese-speaking communities around the world. Seeing a strong and capable character like Kensi embrace her cultural roots could have provided a powerful sense of representation and validation. It could have also broadened the show’s appeal to a wider international audience, fostering a deeper connection with viewers who shared that cultural background.
Furthermore, it could have subtly highlighted the diverse tapestry of American identity and the richness that various cultures bring to the nation, enriching the show’s narrative in meaningful ways.
A Testament to Dedication: Ruah’s Investment in Kensi
Daniela Ruah’s consistent desire to explore this aspect of Kensi’s background underscores her deep investment in the character and her commitment to making her portrayal as nuanced and authentic as possible. It demonstrates that even after many years of playing a role, actors continue to think about their characters’ inner lives and the potential for further development.
While this particular wish remained unfulfilled on screen, it provides a fascinating insight into the creative process and the enduring bond between an actor and the character they bring to life.
Conclusion: A “What If” That Adds Depth to a Beloved Character
Daniela Ruah’s revelation about the major change she wished she could have made to Kensi Blye – exploring her Portuguese heritage – offers a compelling glimpse into the creative possibilities that lingered beneath the surface of NCIS: Los Angeles. While Kensi remains a beloved and iconic character, Ruah’s “what if” scenario adds another layer of intrigue to her backstory and highlights the potential for even greater depth and representation. It serves as a reminder of the rich inner lives that actors develop for their characters and the fascinating directions those characters could have taken. Even though this particular wish wasn’t realized on screen, it enriches our understanding of Kensi Blye and the thoughtful dedication Daniela Ruah brought to the role for over a decade.
