‘NCIS: Los Angeles’: How Eric Christian Olsen and Daniela Ruah Really Feel About Having an On-Screen Romance
If you’ve watched Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen on NCIS: Los Angeles, it’s easy to see how well they get along. Their interactions as Kensi and Deeks seem almost effortless. The fact that they’re in-laws probably helps (Ruah is married to Olsen’s brother). Here’s what the NCIS LA stars once said about having an on-screen romance.
Ruah says she and Olsen have a great working relationship
During a 2017 London Comic Con panel discussion, Ruah talks about her working relationship with Olsen. She says they’re on the same page when it comes to their character interaction because they have worked with each other for such a long time.
“I think Eric and I have been working together so long at this point that we both go in the same direction just because we know each other’s style,” Ruah says. “And maybe at this point we even have very similar or the same instincts within scenes, of how they should be.”
Daniela Ruah says kissing Eric Christian Olsen can be awkward
During a 2015 interview on The Queen Latifah Show, Ruah describes what it’s like to kiss her brother-in-law. When Queen Latifah asks if kissing scenes are awkward, Daniela says they are, but she makes an effort to focus on the work and making sure viewers get what they want:
The obvious answer would be yes [it’s weird to kiss Eric], but at the same time we’re so invested in our characters, and we’re so interested that the audience has been following these characters, and they’re happy with what’s happening on the show. We’re kind of trying to stay faithful to that more than anything else. Dave is in the business, and Eric’s wife is an actress, she’s in the business, and I think everybody knows what that feels like.
Eric Christian Olsen says his brother is understanding
Olsen says he doesn’t really think about his unique relationship with Ruah unless someone mentions it. When someone brings up their situation, that’s when he says things get a bit uncomfortable. When one of the hosts on CBS Los Angeles asks Olsen if his brother, David, ever complains about him getting too close to Ruah, Olsen said it’s not a problem.
“We’ve been doing the show,” says Olsen. “That’s our job. [My brother] was a [Navy] SEAL, but now he’s out, but he does stunt work and a bunch of other stuff. So, he does stunts on our show along with a bunch of other shows. He gets it; he understands that this is a job.”
Daniela Ruah says she feels an obligation to the fans when it comes to Densi
Ruah tells Parade she feels obligated to the fans when it comes to her portrayal of Kensi and Deeks’ relationship. She refuses to let any awkward feelings get in the way because she wants to give the NCIS LA fans what they want.
“The first time we read that there was a kiss in the script, we were, ‘Okay, not sure either one of us would plan this,’ but for one, these characters were bantering and flirting even before I met my husband, so it was something that was preexisting, and we knew there would be a development in that,” Ruah tells Parade.
“I think if Eric and I would say, ‘We’re not doing these things because we’re related,’ it would do a huge disservice to the show and to the fans,” adds Ruah. “That’s what the main objective is: To have people stay engaged in the show and love the development of these characters.”
Read more: ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’: Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen’s Funniest Moments
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