NCIS: LOS ANGELES star Eric Christian Olsen has reason to celebrate away from the CBS drama after two projects from his Cloud Nine Productions have been picked up for development.
He may be best known for his role as Marty Deeks in the hit CBS crime drama, but actor Eric Christian Olsen also has plenty of work projects in the pipeline away from NCIS: LA. Most notably, his very own production Cloud Nine Productions which has already seen success this year with the news its project Big Dummie had been snapped up by US streaming service Peacock. And now there’s more good news for Olsen and his team.
Olsen’s production company’s two latest series projects have been picked up for development by two of the USA’s biggest names.
CBS – the broadcaster which airs NCIS: LA – has put pen to paper for drama First Lady from writers Jessica Grasl and Corinne Brinkerhoff.
Streaming giants Hulu has landed the rights to develop for comedy Fruit Man, created by Daniel Koren and Kieran Valla.
The news marks a huge milestone for Cloud Nine Productions, as evident in a statement released when the announcement was made
“Our mission at Cloud Nine is to continue to use our platform to develop and shepherd creator-driven series about characters who are greater than the circumstances of their lives, and who find themselves on unique and compelling journeys,” a statement obtained by Deadline read.
It continues: “We’re passionate about telling stories in all genres and formats that present authentic and fresh perspectives that explore who we are and the times we live in.
“Each of these projects is representative of that common notion, and we couldn’t have asked for better partners in CBS and Hulu.”
Cloud Nine has previously worked with Hulu before following the premiere of the Lamorne Morris-led comedy Woke earlier this year
First Lady centres of the First Lady of the United States who divorces from her husband – while he’s still in office – in order to reclaim her own life.
Fruit Man is billed as half-hour comedy which follows a New Yorker who discovers the “Tree of Knowledge” in his own backyard and uses it to influence his life choices.
Back on-screen, however, Olsen isn’t going anywhere from NCIS: LA – despite doubts cast over Deeks’ future in the latest season.
Fans were left fearing for Deek’s future on the show after he was fired from his job as an LAPD liaison officer and forced to leave the team
However, co-star Daniela Ruah – who plays on-screen wife Kensi Blye – revealed how Olsen still has a place on the show.
“Listen, if Eric were leaving the show permanently, we would know about that by now, and that’s obviously not the case.
“So, somewhere and somehow, things happen that change the course of where the story is going,” the NCIS: LA star told TV Line.
And following on from the show’s season 12 fall finale before its festive break, it looks like fortunes may be turning for Deeks.
Just as all hope looked lost for him and his career, head boss Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt) delivered some encouraging news.
Despite being told by colleague Nell Jones (Renee Felice Smith) he was too old to retrain as an NCIS agent, Hetty revealed how she’d managed to pull some strings.
“Age is but a number,” she told the down on his luck Deeks – so can fans expect to see a lot more exciting things coming his and Kensi’s way when NCIS: LA returns next year?
