“Chris O’Donnell’s Surprise Role in 9-1-1: Nashville Leaves NCIS: Los Angeles Fans Guessing—What’s Behind This Cross-Show Connection?”
Added on March 18, 2025 inEntertainment News Cards, TV News Cards
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Buckle up, folks! It looks like the 9-1-1 franchise has kicked it into high gear with a new addition that has me buzzing—9-1-1: Nashville! What’s got me feeling like a kid in a candy store, you ask? Just a month after its announcement, we already have our leading man, and spoiler alert—it’s none other than Chris O’Donnell! Yes, you heard that right! The guy who made us swoon as Grisha “G” Callen on NCIS: Los Angeles is stepping into the boots of Captain Don Sharpe, a rugged fire captain who’s not just saving lives but also wrangling his beloved son and a few secrets along the way. No pressure or anything!
Now, while the premise sounds intriguing, I’m left pondering—are we simply getting more of the same with different city flair? With all the exciting spins and flames (pun totally intended), will this spinoff deliver the fresh narrative we’ve been craving, or will it fizzle out like a soda left open overnight? Grab your popcorn, folks, because I have some thoughts on how this new show can steer clear of the pitfalls others have stumbled through. If you’re ready for a deep dive into this fiery topic, LEARN MORE.
9-1-1: Nashville is moving along much faster than I anticipated.
The latest entry in the 9-1-1 franchise has barely been announced in a month, and we already have our leading man.
Chris O’Donnell, best known for playing Special Agent in Charge Grisha “G” Callen on NCIS: Los Angeles, has lassoed the lead role on the forthcoming offshoot.
He’ll play Captain Don Sharpe, “a rugged fire captain and rodeo rider who runs Nashville’s busiest firehouse with his beloved son,” according to the official character description.
“Don’s a devoted husband and family man, but he has his secrets.”
The lead character being male and having many secrets sounds very similar to 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star’s leading men, so I hope the Nashville-set spinoff takes things in a different direction.
In recent years, new entries in beloved franchises haven’t been as inspired as I would like, with many merely moving to a new city with similar characters.
That may have worked in the past but shows like NCIS: Origins have shown how to breathe new life into a tired franchise.
Either way, ABC has already set up this new series well by snagging Chris because he attained a wealth of fans for starring in all 14 seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles.
In today’s climate, few TV shows reach half of that season tally, and this being Chris’s first big TV role will be a great marketing opportunity.
Fans were still clamoring for more NCIS: Los Angeles when it was canceled, but at least the series got a conclusion, which is more than can be said for FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, and NCIS: Hawai’i, which all got canceled too late in their last seasons to give closure.
Even if the NCIS: Los Angeles audience is ready for more from Chris, I feel 9-1-1: Nashville could be hindered by how 9-1-1: Lone Star was treated.
Despite the first 9-1-1 spinoff getting a finale, it was a complete and utter rush job that put its fans and characters through the wringer.
By the time the finale aired, many (including me!) had already walked away because of the poor treatment of beloved characters.
The original 9-1-1 is chugging along on ABC, but that show has always had the franchise’s best ratings, and people seem eager to watch wherever it airs.
Kicking off a brand-new show will be a tough sell, but Chris will surely be a ray of light that could help it get off the ground running.
I don’t typically like new spinoffs relying on legacy characters, but there was so much unsaid for everyone on 9-1-1: Lone Star by the end, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring one or two of those characters back as series regulars.
9-1-1: Lone Star was treated terribly by FOX in its final seasons, with a year-long hiatus killed momentum.
ABC has kept 9-1-1 intact since picking up for its seventh season.
While shipping Athena off to an episode of Doctor Odyssey is unnecessary, the series we know and love remains, proving that networks shouldn’t mess with what isn’t broken.
9-1-1: Nashville has an uphill battle ahead of it, but the concept must be half-decent because ABC gave it a straight-to-series order.
Let’s hope it didn’t get that on brand name and talent alone. It would be a shame to give the franchise its first misfire.
Over to you, 9-1-1 and NCIS: Los Angeles Fanatics!
What are your thoughts on the addition of Chris O’Donnell? Do you think it’s a good thing?
Hit the comments below.
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