NCIS fans shouldn’t expect to see Special Agent Marty Deeks in the upcoming season of the hit CBS drama series. Eric Christian Olsen, who portrayed the character in all 14 seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles, recently shared that he has no interest in returning to his breakout role.
Speaking with TVLine at a press event for the new CBS series Matlock, which Olsen is an executive producer on, the actor explained why he would not follow in the footsteps of his former co-star LL Cool J by guest starring in another NCIS series. “I actively miss Todd, and I was texting with Renée [Felice Smith] this morning, and I see [sister-in-law] Daniela [Ruah] all the time…,” he shared. That said, he noted that he finds himself “not so much” wanting to play Deeks again. Instead, Olsen seems quite happy serving as an EP on Matlock, explaining that the series allows him to mentally insert himself into “these really good, dramatic or funny scenes … because they’re so beautiful.”
NCIS: Los Angeles premiered in September 2009 as the first spinoff series in the NCIS franchise. The long-running action drama series follows Special Agents Sam Hanna and Grisha Callen, played by LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell respectively, as they investigate military-related crimes. Across its 14 seasons, NCIS: LA was a solid ratings performer for CBS, which allowed it to become the second longest-running show in the franchise after the original NCIS. In May 2023, NCIS: LA concluded, becoming the second NCIS show to go off-air after NCIS: New Orleans, which premiered in 2014 and concluded in 2021 after seven seasons.
Mark Harmon Returning as Gibbs on NCIS
Olsen may not be returning to the NCIS Universe, but another fan-favorite actor is. Mark Harmon is finally set to make his first onscreen appearance as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in three years… it just won’t be on NCIS. Harmon has shot new footage for the upcoming prequel series, NCIS: Origins, which will explore Gibbs’ early career “as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.” In addition to making a cameo in the premiere episode, Harmon will narrate every episode, as well as executive produce, while Austin Stowell will portray the younger Gibbs.
NCIS Season 22 Will Include a James Bond-ish Episode
While story details remain largely under wraps for NCIS Season 22, showrunner Steven D. Binder recently teased that one episode will be about “what happens when a guy like Jason Bourne or James Bond — one of these really serious, high-end people who are involved in espionage — ends up in a retirement home, suffering from the things that all of our parents and grandparents suffer.” The showrunner continued, “What do you do when you have those sort of skills, and that sort of knowledge, and you’re starting to lose your s–t?”
The Season 22 premiere of NCIS airs on CBS on Oct. 14.