Eric Christian Olsen Reveals CBS Almost Rejected Him as Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles
It’s hard for many fans to picture NCIS: Los Angeles without Marty Deeks, but Eric Christian Olsen has revealed that he almost never became part of the series.
During a recent podcast appearance, the actor shared that CBS executives were initially against casting him in the role.
“They didn’t want me as Deeks,” Olsen said. “They just didn’t want me period.”
Olsen explained that he discovered the opportunity while searching for a television project set in Los Angeles. Although he wasn’t familiar with the original NCIS series or its upcoming spinoff, he agreed to meet with creator Shane Brennan.
What followed was an unusual audition process, where Olsen improvised scenes and tested the on-screen dynamic between Deeks and Daniela Ruah’s Kensi Blye.
Brennan quickly became convinced that Olsen was the perfect choice for the character, but getting CBS executives on board was reportedly a much bigger challenge.
Originally brought in for a limited number of episodes, Olsen’s performance impressed viewers and producers, eventually earning him a permanent place on the show. He remained part of the series until its conclusion in 2023.
Over 14 seasons, Olsen’s version of Deeks became one of the most memorable characters in the NCIS universe, transforming from a temporary addition into one of the franchise’s biggest fan favorites.
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