The CBS drama NCIS: Los Angeles is about the high-stakes world of a division responsible for apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals that pose a threat to the nation’s security. By assuming false identities and utilizing the most advanced technology, this team of highly trained agents goes deep undercover, putting their lives on the line in the field to bring down their targets and protect the country. Assisting the team, which includes Special Agent Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Special Agent Sam Hanna (LL Cool J), is Special Agent Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah), the daughter of a slain Marine who lives for the adrenaline rush that comes with undercover work.
During this exclusive phone interview with Collider, actress Daniela Ruah talked about being the only female member of the team, kicking ass and forming real family bonds with her co-stars. She also revealed what it was like to work with George Lucas, who recently took over directing duties to film some re-shoots on the upcoming feature Red Tails, about the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. Check out what she had to say after the jump:
Question: How did you get involved with NCIS: Los Angeles? Were you just making the audition rounds, or was there something specific about this show and character that appealed to you?
Daniela: I’ll be honest, it was a little bit of both. I was in the auditioning process. It was pilot season at the time, so I was getting a lot of auditions. But, at the same time, my team has always told me to be selective about the things that I go up for and never just do everything for the sake of doing it. In that sense, I liked the character Kensi and, therefore, decided to go to that specific audition. I auditioned in New York, which is where I was living at the time. The callback was then in L.A. and they flew me over. I spent one night here, and that was the very first time I touched California soil, so that was pretty exciting. I arrived, did the audition that day, and then, the very next morning, I flew back to New York, so I didn’t really get to see anything at all, but it was exciting. So, there was the studio audition and then the network audition. The first had the executive producer, casting director and one of our resident directors. They gave me instructions as to how to do the scene, I did it once, they gave me some notes and then I did it again. And then, when you pass that, you go to the network audition, which is in front of about 30 people and that’s really nerve-wracking. Everyone who’s anyone from CBS and Paramount were there, and I was just like, “Oh, good lord!” That was the process.
Had you been aware of the proven success of NCIS, and did that success help you feel confident in this show?
Daniela: I researched the original show before going in for the audition, just as part of how to build the character and what kind of tone the show would have. Even though now there’s quite a different tone, at the time, I needed to know where I was coming from. It’s a double-edged sword because, on one hand, you have this confidence because the show already exists and that’s a wonderful platform for us to step onto, but on the other hand, you have such faithful fans who might not receive us very well because we have the same title, even though now we’ve become really a different show. We both just handle the Navy, basically. So, there was a little bit of both. I just walked in going, “Whatever happens, happens. Do your best and then walk away.” That’s how you have to treat auditions, otherwise you’d be stressed all the time.
What can you say about Season 2 of NCIS: Los Angeles? Are there any major changes for the show or your character?
Daniela: We have a couple of additions to the show. Kensi’s partner, Dom, played by Adam Jamal Craig, was killed in the first season and she was left as the third wheel with Sam (LL Cool J) and Callen (Chris O’Donnell). Now, in this season, I have a new partner, Marty Deeks, played by Eric Christian Olsen. She’s not entirely that fond of him. It’s a relationship that’s going to develop. I think he’s quite fascinated by her. She’s like Jason Bourne. Her dad taught her to do everything, and I think Deeks is quite fascinated by that. She’s still a little weary of him, and she’s not one to let men get too close too quickly, so it’s going to be a really fun development for those characters. Throughout the season, you’ll discover more and more things about each character and their personal lives. I can’t wait.
Is there anything in particular that you’re looking forward to fans getting to see or learn about Kensi, and has anything that you’ve learned about her really surprised you?
Daniela: I’ll be honest with you, the cast discovers things about their characters, almost at the same time the audience does because our executive producers don’t really tell us how they’re going to develop the characters on purpose. They want it to be a surprise. It’s hard for me to predict what’s coming up because they won’t tell me until we actually get the script, a day before we start shooting. I want to know more about where she comes from and what happened to her dad. I don’t know if that’s going to be revealed in this season. It might not be. But, I like the type of shows where you see why characters are the way they are, and I hope to see that kind of development. I think the audience wants to see that too. We’ve got wonderful action, but people relate to the characters personally.
Even though things are done for dramatic effect and the betterment of the story, how difficult was it to lose a cast member already in the first season? Was that expected at all?
Daniela: No, not at all. We all got a warning before the audience did, obviously, because they had to build up to that point, but they didn’t tell us that far before. I think that it revealed everyone else’s own mortality, in terms of the characters, because it shows that anyone can go at anytime. The producers like to keep people guessing and keep them on the edge of their seats, and they treat us that way as well, in a good sense because we’re like a big family. But, it was very difficult. We all love each other. A family is created throughout the process, and it’s always difficult when you lose someone. But, that’s the way the show developed.
How has Eric Christian Olsen changed the dynamic of the ensemble that was already established? What has he added to things?
Daniela: Eric is the kind of actor who is very comfortable. He’s very comfortable with experimenting and he’s very open to what’s around him, and I think that reflects in the way that he plays Marty Deeks and the way he so easily entered this relatively well-established group of people. He’s really fun and he improvises so many things at the end of the scenes. Between takes, he makes everyone laugh. We all make each other laugh, to be honest with you. He seems to fit in very well, and I think that’s why he was cast. They have to look for the chemistry between the characters and if somebody clashes, it’s not going to work. He just managed to fit in really, really well. He brings rhythm, he brings a lot of humor and the banter between Deeks and Kensi is something the audience is really going to appreciate.
Is it fun to have that banter between your characters? Is all of that scripted, or do you guys improvise some of the teasing?
Daniela: It’s a little bit of both. The writers have openly told us, “We write for your characters, as we see the way you develop the characters.” They pick up on little things. Stuff that begins by being improvised gets added in writing, in a later episode. But, there’s definitely a lot of improvising, especially at the end of scenes.
