Daniela Ruah’s return to the NCIS franchise is nothing short of a milestone in both her acting career and directorial journey. Not only does the 40-year-old actress reprise her iconic role as Special Agent Kensi Blye for the highly anticipated 1,000th episode of NCIS, but she also steps behind the camera to direct the subsequent episode of NCIS: Hawai’i. Airing on April 15, 2024, the special 1,000th episode features a cameo from Ruah, where her character, Kensi, makes a brief but significant appearance through an MTAC video call. Filming this cameo while directing in Hawaii presented unique challenges, especially since the scene had to be shot in a way that convincingly placed Kensi in her car, despite Ruah being far from Los Angeles. The production team worked creatively to make this scene come together, with Ruah admitting that the entire experience felt “too big of a deal” to not be part of.
In addition to this cameo, Daniela also directed NCIS: Hawai’i‘s 1,001st episode, titled “The Next Thousand”, which is already being hailed as “crazy intense.” The episode, which focuses on a chaotic U.S. Army SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training exercise, blends high-stakes action with deep emotional storytelling. Ruah praised the collaborative effort of the NCIS: Hawai’i team, particularly the three showrunners—Jan Nash, Matt Bosack, and Chris Silber—who wrote the episode. According to Ruah, their involvement added a unique layer of unpredictability, pushing the boundaries of the show’s usual formula. In this intense episode, Vanessa Lachey, who plays Jane Tennant, delivered a standout performance, delving deep into her character’s tragic backstory, which added an emotional weight to the narrative. Daniela reflected on the level of dedication from the entire cast, highlighting how Lachey’s willingness to explore dark emotional territory elevated the storyline.
Ruah also noted that directing the episode was a learning experience, as every new project comes with its own set of challenges and lessons. Working with a fresh crew, new directors of photography, and different actors helped her grow as a director, expanding her skills and bringing new insights into her craft. This combination of acting and directing within the NCIS universe showcases Daniela Ruah’s versatility and passion for storytelling. Her ability to juggle both sides of the camera while continuing to push herself creatively highlights how far she’s come since her days as Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles, and how her journey in the NCIS world is far from over.
