NCIS Los Angeles only introduced the character of Marty Deeks part way through its first season. Therefore, some fans might be wondering how Eric Christian Olsen landed his part on the show and what his audition was like.
How did Eric Christian Olsen land his NCIS Los Angeles role?
Fans of NCIS will remember how Marty Deeks was only introduced in a guest role in season one
He joined the cast towards the end of the season in a recurring part back in 2010.
His first appearance was in the episode Hand to Hand, he was undercover as a martial artist called Jason Wyler.
Then only when he was arrested alongside Sam Hanna (played by LL Cool J) was it revealed how both of them were actually working undercover
Following a great reception to his role on the show, he was upped to a series regular as he began his partnership with Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah).
Over the years fans have fallen more in love with the character from his hilarious one-liners to his show-stopping romance with Kensi.
Therefore, some viewers will be keen to know how he even landed the part in the first place.
The star opened up about the process to Red Carpet News when he revealed he went up for the role even though he did not fit the description at all.
Olsen said: “They’re casting a role for one of the new leads, his name is Victor Cruz, he’s an east LA Latino street cop. I said ‘I’m perfect for it.’
“I remember the audition scene was me talking about a motorcycle with Kensi and everybody else they had auditioned for this part had a chemistry read with her.
“So I came in and did my audition and the showrunner Shane Brennan looked at me and was like ‘I feel like there’s more you want to try.’”
Thankfully, Olsen agreed as he was then able to mould the part to suit him as he improvised a monologue in the room.
He told the publication how this featured him speaking about his feelings for Kensi in an off-the-cuff moment.
Olsen added: “They brought me on board for a couple of episodes to see if it worked.
“Then they brought me back for the second season and that has been life changing.”
However, after he was cast on the show, he was told he had to keep it very quiet.
He revealed to TV Guide magazine how he even had to keep it a secret from almost all of his family.
He explained: “They kept a pretty tight lid on me showing up at all.
“I wasn’t allowed to Twitter, Facebook or talk about it at all. I couldn’t even tell my family.”
Thankfully it all worked out for the star as Deeks has gone on to be one of the most popular characters in the series.
