Fans of NCIS: Los Angeles may be in for some disappointing news as Eric Christian Olsen, who portrayed Marty Deeks on the hit series, recently opened up about the likelihood of returning to the NCIS franchise. Despite the continued success of the original NCIS series and the recent NCIS: Hawai’i spinoff, Eric confirmed that he’s not eager to reprise his role as Deeks any time soon.
In an interview with TVLine, Eric shared that while he remains close with several of his former co-stars, including Daniela Ruah and Renee Felice Smith, he doesn’t feel any strong urge to return to the NCIS world. He explained that although he has fond memories of working alongside his former castmates, there are no immediate plans for a comeback. Eric also acknowledged the cameo appearance by LL Cool J, who reprised his role as Sam Hanna in NCIS: Hawai’i, but noted that it didn’t spark the same desire for him to return as Deeks.
Eric’s comments come at a time when the NCIS franchise is undergoing some changes. With the original series continuing its 22nd season and a prequel series centered on a younger Leroy Gibbs in the works, it seems that past characters may not have a natural place in the evolving storylines. Eric even hinted that his desire to return to the role of Deeks was “not so much,” suggesting that he’s looking toward new opportunities.
While the prospect of a return to NCIS might be off the table for now, Eric is certainly keeping busy. He’s taken on a new role as executive producer for the upcoming Matlock reboot, which stars Kathy Bates. Although it’s unclear whether Eric will appear on-screen in the new show, his involvement behind the scenes marks an exciting new chapter in his career.
Away from the spotlight, Eric is also focusing on family life with his wife, actress Sarah Wright, and their three children. As he navigates these new professional and personal adventures, it seems that fans will have to wait a bit longer to see Deeks back in action. However, given his growing involvement in the industry, it’s clear that Eric’s talents will continue to shine in new ways, whether in front of the camera or behind it.
