For fourteen seasons, the NCIS Los Angeles team anchored the west coast branch of the military's premier investigative agency with high-octane operations, tactical gear, and sharp banter. Running from 2009 until its emotional series wrap in May 2023, the procedural drama relied on a tight-knit ensemble cast blending seasoned movie stars with dynamic television veterans.
Understanding who played whom, how their character arcs evolved, and what the actors tackled next reveals why this specific iteration of the franchise maintained such a loyal following across 322 episodes.
The Core Agents: Callen and Hanna
At the heart of the Office of Special Projects (OSP) were two legendary operatives whose chemistry drove the show from the pilot to the series finale.
G. Callen (Chris O'Donnell)
Chris O'Donnell starred as Special Agent G. Callen, a chameleon-like chameleon with a mysterious past and a habit of adopting multiple aliases. Callen spent years trying to piece together his true identity, orphan background, and deep ties to the intelligence community. Over fourteen years, his arc shifted from a guarded, solitary operative into a grounded man who finally found domestic stability and married Anna Kolcheck in the series conclusion.
Sam Hanna (LL Cool J)
Methodical, fiercely loyal, and physically imposing, Senior Special Agent Sam Hanna was Callen's rock. Played by hip-hop icon and actor LL Cool J, Hanna brought a retired Navy SEAL background to every tactical breach. His storylines frequently balanced heavy operational stakes—such as the tragic loss of his wife, Michelle—with mentor dynamics toward junior agents. Following the end of the main series, LL Cool J kept the character alive by crossing over into NCIS: Hawai'i.
Field Operations and Undercover Specialists
The field team relied on sharp disguises, rapid-fire tactical support, and deep-cover operations tailored to the sprawling backdrop of Southern California.
Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah)
Daniela Ruah portrayed Special Agent Kensi Blye, a lethal, highly competent investigator with a background in forensic psychology and exceptional marksmanship. Kensi evolved from an eager junior field agent into the tactical backbone of the team. Her multi-season slow-burn romance and eventual marriage to partner Marty Deeks formed one of the emotional cores of the series. Ruah also stepped behind the camera during later seasons to direct multiple episodes.
Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen)
Eric Christian Olsen joined the recurring cast in season one as LAPD liaison detective Marty Deeks before transitioning to a full NCIS special agent. Deeks injected levity, sharp wit, and deep emotional vulnerability into the bullpen. Behind the surfer-dude exterior lay a deeply traumatized past involving an abusive father, elements that Olsen played with nuance. Deeks and Kensi eventually balanced field work with running a local bar and attempting to start a family.
Tech Operations and Intelligence Analysis
No high-stakes federal agency operates without tech support, though the OSP technical division came with plenty of eccentricities.
Eric Beale (Barrett Foa)
Barrett Foa played Eric Beale, the quintessential quirky tech operator who spent his days typing furiously at multiple monitors, rocking colorful shorts with blazers, and providing remote satellite oversight. Eric evolved from a background computer whiz into a co-founder of a tech firm, eventually leaving Los Angeles to scale operations in Tokyo alongside Nell.
Nell Jones (Renée Felice Smith)
Renée Felice Smith entered in season two as intelligence analyst Nell Jones. Nell quickly proved she was just as capable in the field as she was behind a console, frequently matching Hetty Lange's intellectual sparring. Her complicated, on-and-off relationship with Eric culminated in their joint departure during the season twelve finale, heading overseas to build a new tech enterprise together.
Leadership and Support Staff
Guiding the unpredictable crew required a mix of iron-fisted operational oversight and bureaucratic navigation.
Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt)
Academy Award winner Linda Hunt brought enigmatic gravity to Henrietta "Hetty" Lange, the legendary operations manager who treated her agents like surrogate children while frequently withholding critical information on a need-to-know basis. Operating out of a cluttered office filled with historical artifacts, Hetty pulled global strings that often traced back to Cold War operations. Hunt's physical presence on screen decreased in later seasons due to health and scheduling adjustments, but Hetty remained the mythical guardian angel of the unit.
Admiral Cheyne Kilbride (Gerald McRaney)
As the series evolved, veteran actor Gerald McRaney stepped in as retired Admiral Cheyne Kilbride, providing a gruff, old-school military counterbalance to the younger agents. Kilbride transitioned from a recurring guest star to a series regular, overseeing operations with dry sarcasm and a surprising soft spot for the team.
Fatima Namazi (Medalion Rahimi) and Devin Rountree (Caleb Castille)
Introduced in later seasons, Fatima Namazi (Medalion Rahimi) and Devin Rountree (Caleb Castille) brought fresh energy to the investigative unit. Fatima excelled at cyber-intelligence and cultural infiltration, while Rountree—a former FBI agent and demolition expert—rounded out physical tactical operations. Both actors provided vital representation and helped modernize the team dynamic for its final stretch.
Behind the Scenes: Production Legacy
The series was created by Shane Brennan and produced by CBS Studios, setting itself apart from the original NCIS set in Washington, D.C., by leaning heavily into cinematic action sequences, drone shots of Los Angeles traffic, and serialized character continuity. While the show wrapped production in 2023, its syndication footprint remains massive across global streaming platforms and cable networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Eric and Nell leave NCIS Los Angeles?
Both Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith chose to exit the series during season twelve to pursue external creative projects and theatrical ventures. Storyline-wise, their characters accepted a lucrative tech-firm funding offer based in Tokyo.
Is Linda Hunt in every season?
Linda Hunt appears as a primary series regular across the majority of the run, though her screen time was intentionally reduced during the final few seasons due to off-screen recovery from a minor car accident and pandemic-era safety protocols.
Where can I watch NCIS Los Angeles?
All fourteen seasons are available for streaming on Paramount+ and various video-on-demand digital storefronts depending on regional licensing agreements.
Will there be a revival or spin-off featuring these characters?
As of current network updates, no direct revival has been ordered, though cast members like LL Cool J have continued their roles in adjacent franchise entries.
