NCIS: Los Angeles is likely finished for good after this Chris O'Donnell update. The NCIS: Los Angeles actor is joining a new procedural as its main lead, which has essentially removed all hope for any possible NCIS: Los Angeles reunion. The NCIS spinoff aired for 14 years on CBS before being canceled in 2023. CBS' decision to cancel NCIS: Los Angeles was surprising, but there was always hope that the characters might return.
NCIS: Los Angeles ended in a way that allowed for the characters to come back. However, now that Chris O'Donnell will be joining the 9-1-1 franchise, he seems more distanced than ever from his performance as G. Callen in NCIS: Los Angeles. The update is great news for the actor and his fans, but disappointing for NCIS: Los Angeles, which seems to have ended for good with season 14.
Chris O'Donnell Joins 9-1-1: Nashville As Its Main Lead
O'Donnell Will Play A Family Man
Following 9-1-1: Lone Star's cancelation, ABC announced their newest show, 9-1-1: Nashville, which will air in the fall of 2025. ABC has also revealed 9-1-1: Nashville's newest cast member, Chris O'Donnell, who will play Captain Don Sharpe. According to TVLine, Don is described as "a rugged fire captain and rodeo rider who runs Nashville’s busiest firehouse with his beloved son." Adding on, TVLine's source revealed that Don is a "family man, but he has his secrets." O'Donnell's newest character seems to be tough but with a soft heart.
While limited details exist about Don and 9-1-1: Nashville so far, it seems as though Don will have significant differences to O'Donnell's other famous role, G. Callen. Given how iconic Callen became during his appearances on NCIS: Los Angeles, there will likely be some similarities drawn between the characters as Don comes to life and his family issues and secrets start to unravel. However, the premises of the characters are entirely different, and I am excited to see how O'Donnell portrays Don and whether he looks at his NCIS: Los Angeles character for inspiration.
Not much has been revealed about the newest 9-1-1 spinoff yet, but its setting in Nashville seems to imply that 9-1-1: Nashville will feature rich southern music, food, and culture. With O'Donnell as the first cast announcement so far, the show appears to be moving toward excellent casting decisions. Given O'Donnell's experience and expertise in procedurals, there is no doubt he will shine as Captain Don Sharpe and leader of the 9-1-1: Nashville team.
O'Donnell's New Project Kills The Chances Of NCIS: Los Angeles Revival Happening Anytime Soon
It Is Nearly Impossible To Be The Lead Of Two Shows Simultaneously
As the first spinoff of NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles became very popular in a short amount of time and led to the creation of some of NCIS' best characters. When NCIS: Los Angeles was canceled in 2023, there was still hope that the show could continue sometime in the future because it was so well-liked. However, the news of Chris O'Donnell joining 9-1-1: Nashville removes any possibility of an NCIS: Los Angeles revival because it would be too difficult to film both shows simultaneously.
Chris O'Donnell cannot be the lead of both NCIS: Los Angeles and 9-1-1: Nashville simultaneously. One has to give. And since NCIS: Los Angeles was canceled, there is not as big of an incentive to continue when 9-1-1: Nashville offers an exciting new show. Any possibility for an NCIS: Los Angeles revival now seems like it would happen further into the future since O'Donnell has a new lead role, unless bringing back NCIS: Los Angeles happens without him.
Why An NCIS: Los Angeles Revival Cannot Happen Without G. Callen
There Is No NCIS: Los Angeles Without G. Callen
NCIS season 22 recently confirmed that the NCIS: Los Angeles team was still operating and supporting their colleagues' endeavors by purchasing coffee from McGee's children's fundraiser in episode 13, "Bad Blood." The news meant that the team is still active and working in the background of the NCIS universe, which makes a revival, or even a crossover, entirely possible. However, it does not make it particularly likely given Chris O'Donnell's newest endeavor.
With O'Donnell working on 9-1-1: Nashville, a potential NCIS: Los Angeles revival means that O'Donnell would likely not reappear with his team. As Callen is such an iconic NCIS: Los Angeles character, it is nearly impossible to imagine the show without him. He brought so many complex stories to the NCIS spinoff that an NCIS: Los Angeles revival would not be right without him. It would probably not be wanted either. If there is an NCIS: Los Angeles revival, it should be done right, with the entire cast present.
Source: TVLine
Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.
