The former G. Callen actor signs on to lead a new 9-1-1 spinoff, dashing dreams of a return to the NCIS universe.
For longtime NCIS: Los Angeles fans still holding out hope for a revival, the latest news about Chris O’Donnell may feel like a final curtain call. The beloved actor, who portrayed G. Callen for over a decade, has officially joined ABC’s upcoming 9-1-1 spinoff, 9-1-1: Nashville, as its leading man—a move that effectively ends any realistic chance for an NCIS: LA comeback in the near future.
A New Chapter for O’Donnell—But a Closed Door for Callen
According to TVLine, O’Donnell will star as Captain Don Sharpe, described as “a rugged fire captain and rodeo rider” who leads Nashville’s busiest firehouse alongside his son. He’s a family man with secrets, and the role marks a clear shift from the composed and calculated federal agent he played for 14 seasons on NCIS: LA.
The announcement comes just a year after NCIS: Los Angeles was canceled by CBS in 2023. While the series concluded its run with a relatively open-ended finale—leaving the door cracked open for future reunions—O’Donnell’s commitment to 9-1-1: Nashville makes a revival all but impossible.
Too Busy for a Double Life
Let’s be real: being the lead on any procedural is demanding. Being the lead on two? Practically unthinkable. With 9-1-1: Nashville poised to debut in Fall 2025, O’Donnell is unlikely to juggle both commitments, especially considering the intense production schedules required for such action-heavy dramas.
And while his casting is exciting news for 9-1-1 fans, it’s a major blow to the NCIS faithful who hoped to see G. Callen team up once more with Sam Hanna (LL COOL J), Kensi (Daniela Ruah), or Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen). That dream, at least for now, is shelved.
The NCIS: LA Legacy Lives On… Quietly
That said, NCIS: Los Angeles hasn’t been forgotten entirely. A fun Easter egg in NCIS Season 22, Episode 13 (“Bad Blood”), revealed that the team is still operating—supporting McGee’s kids’ school fundraiser from afar. The mention confirms that the LA squad still exists within the greater NCIS universe, though they’ve been relegated to off-screen status for now.
So yes, a crossover cameo is still technically possible. But a full-blown revival? With O’Donnell on board another franchise? That seems increasingly unlikely.
What We Know About 9-1-1: Nashville
Set against the backdrop of America’s country music capital, 9-1-1: Nashville promises to inject the franchise with Southern flair—think music, culture, and high-stakes rescues with a personal twist. O’Donnell’s character, Don Sharpe, is already being described as a complex mix of tough love and inner turmoil. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it echoes some of the emotional beats that made G. Callen so iconic.
But while the DNA may be similar, Don Sharpe is no Callen, and 9-1-1: Nashville is not NCIS.
Final Verdict: Don’t Hold Your Breath for an LA Return
Though it stings for NCIS: LA fans, Chris O’Donnell’s new role marks an exciting next chapter in his career—and likely the final nail in the coffin for any short-term reunion of the OSP team.
Could the NCIS: LA crew return one day? Absolutely. But without Chris O’Donnell, it would be a different show entirely. For now, fans may have to settle for subtle references and hopeful imagination.
