Chris O'Donnell Talks About NCIS: Los Angeles
The New Role That Has Him Excited
During a set visit by the Television Critics Association in August 2009, Chris O’Donnell was eager to talk about the new series that is a spin-off of the hugely popular series NCIS.
Will the Fans of NCIS Embrace NCIS: Los Angeles?
“My biggest concern, and I think [for] most of us [on the show], is to please the current NCIS fans first and foremost because they’re very loyal fans and [provide] a huge following. And, if new people tune into the show, that's great, but I feel more pressure to live up to their expectations than I do maybe to the network or the studio expectations, to be honest with you.”
Although he is thinking a lot about the following from the original series, he says there has been a lot of excitement around the studio about the spin-off. “What's exciting is having the network behind you and promoting the show. It's tough whether you are doing a film or a TV show. If you don't have the support and the advertising and the marketing, that's obviously a huge part of it. It does raise some expectations.”
O’Donnell was surprised by the intense fan base of NCIS. After his guest appearance last spring on NCIS, which was basically the pilot for the new series, Chris said, “I was overwhelmed how many people were watching the show. It was a similar reaction to when I went on Grey’s Anatomy, and I would go through the carpool line, and every mom wanted to know what was happening the show. Everywhere I've gone this summer, I'm overwhelmed. People that I don't even think watch TV are coming up to me.” He is truly amazed with the fans of NCIS.
O’Donnell admitted that he never knows what is going to happen in the next episodes. “I never know what's coming in the next script.” He added, “From an acting standpoint, it's really exciting because you don't know what they're going to throw at you, and it keeps it fresh and new and different.”
Chris O’Donnell Plays G. Callen in NCIS: Los Angeles
In NCIS: Los Angeles, Chris O’Donnell plays Special Agent G. Callen, a man with a mysterious history.
“I play Callen,” he said, “and as far as his history, I guess he bounced around a little bit, growing up in foster homes and that sort of thing. I think he is a bit of a loner and tends to move around a lot, but ultimately I think that this office and the people he works with is his ultimate family. And, there's a certain mysterious quality to him, but I think he does really value his friendship with Sam (LL Cool J) and with everyone at the office. That's kind of the mystery and the excitement of television is that I'm learning things about [my character] every week when the new script comes out.”
He says that when he reads the new script, he puts another piece of the puzzle together regarding his enigmatic character. "It's like discovering old photo albums that you never knew existed or old home films that you never knew existed.” It’s obvious watching the actor talk about his character and the show that he is extremely happy with what he’s experienced so far. “I get excited for the table reads when [we] find out more about who we are.”
NCIS: Los Angeles premiers Tuesday, September 22, 2009 on CBS.
Chris O'Donnell Stars in NCIS: Los Angeles
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