Chris O’Donnell, fresh off his long-running role on NCIS: Los Angeles, is jumping back into the world of first responders. He’s landed a lead role in ABC’s 9-1-1: Nashville, set to debut in the 2025-2026 season.
Here’s the Lowdown: O’Donnell will play Captain Don Sharpe, a “rugged fire captain and rodeo rider” who heads Nashville’s busiest firehouse. Sharpe is a family man with a “beloved son,” but, he’s also harboring some secrets. The spinoff, announced in February, follows the lives of first responders in Nashville, Tennessee.
What This Means Now: This casting news solidifies O’Donnell’s continued presence in the procedural drama genre. After 14 seasons and over 300 episodes as Special Agent G. Callen on NCIS: Los Angeles, he’s trading in his badge for a fire hose.
The Bigger Picture: 9-1-1: Nashville is the latest addition to the growing 9-1-1 universe, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear. The original 9-1-1 moved from Fox to ABC in 2024 and is currently in its eighth season. 9-1-1: Lone Star, based in Texas, finished its five season run in early February. O’Donnell’s casting adds some star power to this brand new series.
