Fourteen years is a long time to spend with a family that isn't yours. For the stars NCIS Los Angeles grew into a global phenomenon with, the transition from high-stakes undercover work to "normal" Hollywood life hasn't been a simple clean break. When the lights went down on the Office of Special Projects in May 2023, fans weren't just losing a show; they were losing a Sunday night ritual.
The finale felt like a graduation. Everyone survived, mostly. We saw Callen finally marry Anna, and Kensi and Deeks finally ready to welcome a child. But once the cameras stopped rolling at Paramount Studios, the actors behind these iconic characters headed in wildly different directions. Some doubled down on the NCIS universe, while others basically vanished into the prestige TV world or started running production empires from behind the scenes.
The LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell Dynamic
You can't talk about this show without the "bromance" that anchored it. Sam Hanna and G. Callen were the heart of the operation. Honestly, it's hard to imagine one without the other, and it seems the actors felt the same way.
LL Cool J didn't stay "retired" from the franchise for more than five minutes. He famously hopped over to NCIS: Hawai’i to help out Vanessa Lachey’s Jane Tennant, bringing Sam Hanna’s veteran wisdom to the islands. It was a move that kept the DNA of the LA spin-off alive even after the parent show folded. Aside from that, he's been leaning hard into his musical legacy, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and keeping his Rock The Bells empire growing.
Chris O’Donnell, on the other hand, took a beat to breathe. After playing the mysterious Callen for over a decade, he pivoted. By early 2025, news broke that he was headlining a new drama, 9-1-1: Nashville. It’s a bit of a shift—from elite naval investigator to first responder in the Music City—but it fits his brand of reliable, heroic leading man perfectly. He also spent time pitching an NCIS: LA wrap-up movie, though that hasn't materialized yet.
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The Mystery of Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt)
For the last few seasons, the biggest question on every fan's mind was: Where is Hetty? Linda Hunt is a legend, period. Standing at 4'9", she commanded every room, but her presence in the later years was sparse.
A real-life car accident in 2018 made filming difficult for her, especially during the height of the pandemic. While she provided voiceovers and the occasional cameo, her physical absence was felt. Since the show ended, she has largely stepped back from the spotlight. She's living a quiet life with her wife, Karen Kline. It’s a well-deserved retirement for a woman who spent decades being the most interesting person in any cast.
Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen: The Densi Legacy
Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks were the "will-they-won't-they" that actually worked. Their chemistry wasn't just for show; Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen are actually in-laws in real life (Daniela is married to Eric’s brother, David Paul Olsen).
Daniela has been incredibly busy. She didn't just walk away from the NCIS family; she stayed to direct episodes of the main NCIS series and NCIS: Hawai’i. She also starred in a gritty Netflix thriller called Rabo de Peixe (Turn of the Tide), which let her flex some serious dramatic muscles back in her native Portugal.
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Eric Christian Olsen has basically turned into a mogul. If you look at the credits of some of your favorite newer shows, you might see his name. Through his company, Cloud Nine Productions, he’s been executive producing projects like the Matlock reboot starring Kathy Bates. He’s much more interested in building the world behind the camera these days than cracking jokes in an interrogation room.
The New Guard: Fatima and Rountree
The later seasons brought in Medalion Rahimi (Fatima Namazi) and Caleb Castille (Devin Rountree). They had the impossible task of joining a tight-knit family late in the game, but they nailed it.
- Medalion Rahimi: She’s been popping up in independent films and focusing on advocacy work. She’s often talked about how much she valued playing a multi-dimensional Muslim character on prime-time TV.
- Caleb Castille: A former college football star, Caleb has been training hard for new roles. He’s become a bit of a fitness influencer on the side, but he’s also eyeing more action-heavy roles that utilize his athletic background.
Admiral Kilbride’s New Mission
Gerald McRaney is a workhorse. He joined the stars NCIS Los Angeles featured as a recurring guest and ended up becoming the "new Hetty" in the final seasons. Even at 78, the man doesn't stop. Most recently, he took a role in the Hulu true-crime series Murdaugh: Death in the Family, playing Randolph Murdaugh. It's a dark, heavy role that is a far cry from the curmudgeonly but loyal Admiral Kilbride.
Why the Stars of NCIS Los Angeles Still Matter
The longevity of this cast is what sets them apart. You don't see 14-year runs very often in modern television. The actors weren't just coworkers; they were present for marriages, births, and losses. That's why the chemistry felt so lived-in.
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When the show was cancelled, it wasn't because of low ratings—it was expensive. Shooting in LA is pricey, and veteran casts come with veteran paychecks. But the "stars NCIS Los Angeles" fans adore have proven there is life after the OSP. Whether it’s LL Cool J showing up on other spin-offs or Daniela Ruah calling the shots from the director’s chair, the legacy is intact.
If you’re looking to keep up with them, your best bet is following their production ventures. Many of them have moved from "talent for hire" to "creators of the content." It's a smart play in a shifting industry.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're missing the team, here is how you can track their current moves:
- Watch for Directing Credits: Keep a close eye on the credits of the standard NCIS or NCIS: Origins. You’ll likely see Daniela Ruah’s name as a director.
- Check Out Matlock: If you like the procedural feel of LA, watch the new Matlock on CBS, which Eric Christian Olsen produces. It has that same smart, character-driven energy.
- Follow the Music: LL Cool J is more active in the hip-hop scene now than he has been in a decade. His Rock The Bells radio and festival circuit is where he spends most of his energy.
- Streaming Gems: Look for Gerald McRaney and Chris O'Donnell on Hulu and Paramount+, as they've both migrated toward shorter, high-impact streaming series.