After the conclusion of NCIS: Los Angeles, Eric Christian Olsen is staying with CBS, but in a very different role than fans might expect. Known for his portrayal of Marty Deeks on the NCIS spinoff, Olsen has shifted gears to work behind the scenes as an executive producer for the Matlock reboot, which is set to premiere in October 2024. While Olsen’s face won’t be appearing on-screen in this new project, his involvement is an exciting development for both him and CBS, marking another chapter in his long tenure with the network.
During the 2024 Television Critics Association press tour, Olsen expressed his enthusiasm about stepping into a producer role. “I’ve had so many experiences working for CBS for 13 years, and I did think that this was an incredible opportunity and platform to find stories that I was really passionate about and then help build them from the ground up,” he said. Though Olsen won’t be starring in the Matlock reboot, he is thrilled about the opportunity to work behind the scenes to shape this new chapter in the Matlock franchise.
This marks a significant change in Olsen’s career, but it’s not the first time he’s ventured into production. Previously, he worked as an executive producer on the Hulu series Woke, but Matlock represents a new milestone, as it is Olsen’s first project as an executive producer for CBS, a network that has been his professional home for more than a decade. The new Matlock, led by Kathy Bates in the iconic title role, is set to bring a modern spin to the classic legal drama, and Olsen’s involvement has only added to the buzz surrounding the series.
While Olsen won’t be playing a role in the Matlock reboot—at least not in the immediate future—he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a future guest appearance. He even teased the idea of playing a “big villain,” noting how frequently he’s been asked to play lawyers, particularly the “horrible” ones. “Every time there’s a horrible lawyer, a mean lawyer, they’re like, ‘Eric, will you read this?’” he joked, hinting at the potential for a villainous turn down the line. After playing the more lighthearted and humorous Marty Deeks for years, stepping into a darker role could be a fun new challenge for the actor.
For now, Olsen is focused on his executive producing duties, but the Matlock reboot gives him a unique opportunity to stay behind the camera and help create compelling stories. Fans who have followed Olsen’s career since his NCIS: LA days will be excited to see how this new role unfolds, especially given the popularity of the Matlock brand and the involvement of a seasoned actor like Kathy Bates.
As for the future, Olsen has shown interest in returning to the NCIS universe, even pitching himself for a role in NCIS: Sydney. Whether or not we see him back in the franchise remains to be seen, but for now, fans can catch him in his new role as a producer, with the Matlock reboot premiering on CBS on October 17, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET. It’s a new chapter for Olsen, and whether he’ll take on a villainous lawyer role or return to NCIS in the future, there’s no doubt that fans will be eagerly watching.
