NCIS: Los Angeles’ fan-favorite hangs up his badge—for now
Marty Deeks may have been one of NCIS: Los Angeles’ most beloved characters, but fans holding out hope for a Deeks comeback in another NCIS spinoff might want to dial down the expectations. Eric Christian Olsen, who brought the charming LAPD liaison to life across 14 seasons, has made it clear: he’s not looking to return to the franchise anytime soon.
Deeks, known for his razor-sharp wit and deep loyalty, started off as a guest star before quickly becoming a staple of the team—and a central part of the show’s emotional core thanks to his romance with Kensi Blye (played by Daniela Ruah). The couple’s journey from flirtation to marriage and finally to starting a family gave NCIS: LA some of its most heartfelt moments. The show’s finale gave fans a happy sendoff, with Deeks and Kensi preparing for life as parents.
While LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna recently crossed over to NCIS: Hawai’i, Olsen doesn’t share the same enthusiasm for reprising his role. In a candid comment to TVLine, he said, “Not so much,” when asked whether he’d be interested in stepping back into Deeks’ shoes. Though he admits to missing his former castmates—texting Renee Felice Smith and regularly seeing his real-life sister-in-law Ruah—Olsen seems content to have closed that chapter.
And it’s not because he’s short on work. Olsen has smoothly transitioned into a new role behind the camera. In 2024, he became an executive producer on CBS’s Matlock reboot, starring the legendary Kathy Bates. The legal drama has already scored a season 2 renewal and even earned Bates a Golden Globe nomination. Though Olsen doesn’t appear onscreen, he confessed he often imagines himself in the show’s most powerful or humorous scenes, clearly enjoying the creative shift.
“I mentally insert myself into these really good, dramatic or funny scenes,” he said, “because they’re so beautiful.”
With Matlock gaining traction and production well underway for its next season, Olsen is keeping busy in his new producer role. It’s only been a year since he stepped away from the high-octane world of NCIS: Los Angeles, but it’s clear he’s already carving out a new path.
So, while Marty Deeks might be off the grid for now, Eric Christian Olsen is very much still in the game—just from a new vantage point.
