Fourteen seasons is a lifetime in Hollywood. When you look at the cast of NCIS Los Angeles, you aren't just looking at a list of actors; you’re looking at a group of people who basically grew up together on camera. From the high-octane stunts in the California sun to the quiet, mysterious offices of the OSP, this crew became a staple of Sunday night TV. But honestly, what went on when the cameras stopped rolling was often just as fascinating as the undercover ops.
Most people see the chemistry between G. Callen and Sam Hanna and assume it’s just good acting. It isn't. Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J became genuine best friends. They’ve even gone into business together outside the show. But the road wasn’t always smooth for everyone, and the departures of some fan favorites left a lot of viewers wondering what actually went down.
Why the Cast of NCIS Los Angeles Still Matters Today
It’s been a while since the series wrapped in 2023, but the legacy of the cast of NCIS Los Angeles is still very much alive. Take LL Cool J, for instance. You’ve probably seen the news that his character, Sam Hanna, didn't just retire into the sunset. He’s been popping up in the wider NCISverse, most recently making waves in NCIS: Hawai'i before its cancellation, and now there's major buzz about his presence in the main NCIS series for season 22.
The show was the first real proof that the NCIS brand could thrive outside of the D.C. beltway. It worked because the cast felt like a family, even when that family dynamic got a little weird.
The Brother-in-Law Factor
Speaking of weird family dynamics, let's talk about Eric Christian Olsen and Daniela Ruah. On screen, they played Deeks and Kensi—the "Densi" ship that fans obsessed over for a decade. Their chemistry was electric. But here is the kicker: in real life, Daniela Ruah is married to David Paul Olsen.
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Who is David? He is Eric’s older brother and his stunt double on the show.
So, every time Deeks and Kensi shared a romantic moment, Eric was essentially kissing his sister-in-law. It’s a bit of a "wait, what?" moment for new fans, but the two handled it with total professionalism and a lot of humor. They even joked that having the whole family on set—David doing the stunts and Eric doing the acting—made the long workdays much easier to handle.
The Mystery of Hetty Lange: What Happened to Linda Hunt?
If there’s one person who defined the show, it was Henrietta "Hetty" Lange. Played by the legendary Linda Hunt, Hetty was the tiny, tea-drinking powerhouse that kept the team in line. But as the seasons went on, fans noticed she was appearing less and less.
The truth behind her absence wasn't some dramatic contract dispute or a desire to leave. It started with a serious car accident in 2018. While Linda Hunt initially thought she’d be back in no time, the recovery was harder than expected. Then, just as she was getting back into the swing of things, the world shut down for the pandemic.
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Because of her age and health risks, the production team went to extreme lengths to keep her safe. They actually filmed some of her scenes in her own driveway to keep her isolated from the large crew. Eventually, the writers had to pivot, bringing in Gerald McRaney as Admiral Kilbride to fill the leadership vacuum. While it wasn't the ending many wanted for Hetty—mostly voice messages and cryptic mentions in the final season—it was a necessary move to protect an actress everyone on set deeply respected.
Where Are They Now? Post-NCIS Life
When a show runs for 14 years, the actors often feel like they’ve been in a bit of a bubble. Since the finale, the cast of NCIS Los Angeles has scattered into some pretty diverse projects.
- Chris O’Donnell: He’s traded in the badge for a fire helmet. He’s currently leading the new spinoff 9-1-1: Nashville on ABC. He actually tried to get an NCIS: LA wrap-up movie off the ground during the Hollywood strikes, but unfortunately, it didn't pan out.
- Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith: The "Wonder Twins" (Eric Beale and Nell Jones) left the show together in Season 12. Both actors are highly creative off-screen; Renée has been focusing on writing children's books and directing, while Barrett has returned to his first love: the theater.
- Miguel Ferrer: We have to mention the late, great Miguel Ferrer. His portrayal of Owen Granger was iconic. He worked right up until his death from throat cancer in 2017. The show handled his passing with incredible grace, writing his character out in a way that felt respectful to Miguel’s own toughness.
Money, Contracts, and the $120 Million Man
Let’s be real—people always want to know about the paychecks. While the cast of NCIS Los Angeles did very well for themselves, there was a massive gap between the stars and the supporting cast.
At the height of the franchise, Mark Harmon on the original NCIS was pulling in over $525,000 per episode. While Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J weren't quite at that level, they were still among the highest-paid actors on network TV, reportedly earning around $350,000 per episode in the later seasons.
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Compare that to the newer regulars like Caleb Castille or Medalion Rahimi, who joined later and earned significantly less, and you can see why contract negotiations in Hollywood get so tense. There was even a huge lawsuit early on from the show’s creator, Donald Bellisario, who claimed CBS owed him a share of the profits. It eventually settled for an undisclosed (but likely massive) sum.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cancellation
There’s a common misconception that the show was cancelled because the ratings cratered. That’s not really the case. NCIS: LA was still pulling in millions of viewers every week.
The reality is more boring: money.
As a show gets older, it gets exponentially more expensive. The actors' salaries go up every time they renew a contract. The production costs in Los Angeles are notoriously high. CBS eventually decided that the math didn't add up anymore, especially with newer, cheaper spinoffs like NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Origins waiting in the wings. It was a business decision, plain and simple.
Taking Action: How to Keep the Story Alive
If you're missing the team, there are a few things you can actually do rather than just waiting for a reboot that might never happen.
- Watch the Crossovers: If you want to see Sam Hanna in action again, look for his guest appearances in NCIS: Hawai'i and his upcoming stint in the flagship NCIS Season 22.
- Follow the "Densi" Projects: Daniela Ruah has transitioned into directing. She’s directed episodes of NCIS and NCIS: Hawai'i, so her "eye" is still very much a part of the franchise.
- The Rewatch Strategy: Since the show isn't always on the major streaming platforms in every country, many fans have started picking up the DVD box sets or buying the digital seasons on platforms like Apple TV or Amazon to avoid losing access when licensing deals change.
The cast of NCIS Los Angeles gave us over 300 episodes of television. While the OSP office might be empty for now, the actors are busier than ever, proving there is plenty of life after the badge.