This Tuesday at 9/8c, CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles team makes tracks for Afghanistan, to track down and rescue a fallen-off-the-grid Kensi. TVLine spoke with new mom Daniela Ruah about filming Kensi’s solo mission while increasingly pregnant, her character’s conflict, “turbulent” times for Deeks and a somewhat controversial clobbering.

TVLINE | As I’ve spoken to Shane Brennan over the past six months or so, I’ve marveled at what he was able to pull together to work around the pregnancy and spin an exciting yarn, all without missing a beat. When did you tell him what was going on?
I held off from telling anybody but family until the 12-week mark, but that happened to come along about two weeks before we started shooting the season, which bode well for me because I gave Shane plenty of time to make a plan. So I scheduled a call and said I had some awesome news, that I’m 12 weeks pregnant, and his reaction was one of immediate joy. I said, “I know this is kind of like going to happen in the middle of the season, which doesn’t make things easy for anybody…,” but he was like, “No. No. No. This is the most joyous thing that’ll ever happen to you. Take advantage of every moment of it!”

TVLINE | I think the only consideration in this particular instance is that it’s one thing for Scandal’s pregnant Kerry Washington, who has fashionable pocketbooks and Oval Office furniture to hide behind, while we’re used to seeing Kensi running around in the field, packing heat, chopping guys down….
Right. I mean, the fact that they [accommodated] all of this is a huge, huge testament to how creative and supportive our writing staff is. It would have been so easy for them to just say, “OK. We sent Kensi to Afghanistan and she’ll be back when she’s back” — and they didn’t.

TVLINE | What did pre-filming Kensi’s storyline translate into for you?
I kept working until I was seven-and-a-half months pregnant. That was actually one of the reasons why they sent me to a place that would be cold, so I’d have an excuse to wear all that clothing and hide the belly. Scott Gemmill wrote the loose scenes of Kensi’s time in Afghanistan and then the writers of each episode would basically take those and make sense of them when they wrote their respective episodes. As I watched the show, it didn’t feel like the scenes stood out as being something we shot three months ago.

TVLINE | Any fun anecdotes of braving “Afghanistan” while pregnant?
In the scene where I purposely missed the shot with Jack, I think I was six-and-a-half months pregnant, so we dug a hole in the sand that I was fitting my belly inside. And then when the bad guys started shooting in my direction, I remember feeling like a turtle on my back, not being able to get back up! [Laughs] It was pretty funny. In the future, I can be like, “Hey, River, you were right there during those scenes,” if [my son] ever decides to go back and watch my work.

TVLINE | So now Kensi’s missing. Where does the next episode pick up? Are we going to immediately see what she’s up to?
The way the episode was written was one thing and the way it actually ended up is another, because the episode was so awesome that it ran 10 minutes over, so a little chopping had to happen here and there. But it is literally like a movie. It was written by Frank Military, who’s tends to write the darker material, like when that episode a couple seasons ago where the girl was buried alive in a box and we had Sam’s flashbacks of being buried…. It was also his directing debut. The whole team goes to Afghanistan to try and save Kensi, who has gone rogue and allowed herself to get captured by the Taliban, because she’s trying to get in touch with the White Ghost, with Jack. I’m so excited for “Spoils of War” because it’s going to be dark and heavy, and every single one of these characters is going to suffer in one way or another. It’s probably the best episode we’ve had on the show ever.

TVLINE | Speaking of Jack, what do you think was going through Kensi’s mind when she first saw him out there?
Complete shock. She hasn’t seen him in years, after he just left her one Christmas Eve because he was suffering from PTSD. So when she sees him, it’s like, “Is he better? Is he worse? Has he turned? Is he an enemy now?” You don’t know what that kind of disorder does to people. But at the same time there’s this missing him and wondering, “Can I pull him back?” And then there’s also this feeling of maybe personal failure — “What could I have done more to make this person better that I loved so much?” It’s a lot of internal conflict.

TVLINE | What kind of obstacles is the team going to have to deal with in order to save Kensi’s bacon?
The Taliban, for one. That is our large obstacle, and then there are a lot of personal obstacles. There are really tough decisions that our boys have to make in the process of saving Kensi. Deeks, for one, definitely goes through a very turbulent few moments.

TVLINE | What is it like when Kensi and Deeks first lay eyes on each other again?
I think it’s a little different for both of them — and once you watch the episode, you’ll kind of figure out why.

TVLINE | It sounds like it maybe doesn’t happen under the best circumstances.
Not really. And also, we still kind of don’t know what really happened after that dinner between them. They go home together, and then we’re supposed to meet at the end of the episode and she gets sent off [to Afghanistan]. Things were left off at this really uncertain place, so it’s like, “Where do you go from there?” They haven’t really talked about it. They never talk about their thing.

TVLINE | Before we go, there’s one thing that I promised readers I would bring up with you: When Kensi punched Deeks [in “The Frozen Lake”], it left a bad taste for some.
The punch after he doesn’t take the shot? Yeah. I know exactly what you’re talking about. And I completely understand where people are coming from. In a way, you could view it as sort of promoting aggression between colleagues at work, that kind of thing, and it being OK because there are no repercussions to it. However, I think if you take the situation and relate it only to these characters who people have seen progress through the seasons…. You know, Kensi kind of punches him all the time. Not that it makes it right, but that’s who they are. They’ve slapped each other on the butt. It’s not something for anybody who is in a working environment to imitate or to take as an example, but I think this is a completely isolated case, where characters would try and spruce things up. It’s what they do to each other. There was that time when where they’re in the hotel room and Deeks literally tosses Kensi onto the bed, and then he does it again and then they start jabbing at each other. It’s the way they play. Now in this case it wasn’t a play situation, but I still think that it’s who they are. But again, I completely understand why that may have bothered some people, and that obviously was never the intention.

TVLINE | One common refrain is that if the roles were reversed, such a scene wouldn’t be tolerated.
That also makes sense, but I think a guy did that to Kensi, she’d probably kill him – also not an example of what I want to put out!

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EXCLUSIVE: NCIS: Los Angeles executive producer/showrunner Shane Brennan has signed a new two-year overall deal with the studio behind the hit CBS crime drama. Under the pact, Brennan will continue to run NCIS: LA as he has done since the series’ 2009 launch. Now in its fifth season, NCIS: LA already has been renewed for a sixth. Additionally, Brennan will develop new series for the studio through his Shane Brennan Prods. Australian-born Brennan joined mothership series NCIS at the beginning of Season 4 in 2006, taking the reins as showrunner the following season. He created spinoff NCIS:LA and ran both series for two years before focusing his attention solely on NCIS: LA. The spinoff series is broadcast television’s second most watched drama only behind NCIS, averaging nearly 16 million viewers per episode. It landed a $2 million-plus episode off-network syndication deal with USA only seven episodes into its freshman run, a record for a fast syndication sale. “Shane has propelled NCIS:Los Angeles into one of television’s most beloved dramas,” said CBS TV Studios president David Stapf. “His ability to combine great storytelling, action and humor make him an exceptional showrunner.”

Additionally, Brennan developed and executive produced through Shane Brennan Prods. and CBS Studios the TNT drama series King & Maxwell. “Making NCIS: Los Angeles has been a fun ride for everyone involved; I’m blessed to be able to work with an incredibly talented cast and crew who truly have become my American family,” Brennan said. “The support that my production company receives from David and his team, including Glenn Geller and Julie McNamara, has been nothing short of amazing and I can’t wait to build on the success we have already achieved together.” Brennan is repped by Paradigm and attorney Kevin Kelly.

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Are Eric and Nell the new Kensi and Deeks?

After years of working side-by-side in the ops center, Eric Beale (Barrett Foa) and Nell Jones (Renee Felice Smith) find themselves in the line of fire on Tuesday’s NCIS: Los Angeles. And it might mark a turning point for their relationship.

After Eric inadvertently becomes a witness to a crime while playing an online video game with a friend, he ends up getting thrown in jail (and getting “cozy” with some bikers, Foa tells TVGuide.com). As a result, Nell has to do a little undercover work to get him out.

NCIS: LA’s Olsen, Ruah drop intel on Deeks and Kensi

“Nell definitely turns up the charm factor and surprises everyone … as this Stephanie Prim character, kind of a hard-hitting but very manipulative lawyer,” Smith teases. “That was really fun to play.”

But not fun for Eric to watch, according to Foa. “I would say that Eric Beale’s witnessing of said manipulation and said cozying, sexying herself up to [Eric’s friend], was making his blood boil a little bit,” Foa says. “We haven’t seen too much jealousy from Eric, but I think it’s all part of the puzzle of … where is this relationship going? Is it a workplace friendship, or is it something more? Are we seeing each other outside of work? Is there a love connection?”

Foa and Smith quip that their characters are like the “nerdy version” of Kensi (Daniela Ruah) and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen), whose will-they-or-won’t-they waltz has provided the emotional heartbeat of the show for five seasons. Both actors say they’d support the collegial relationship between Nell and Eric turning into something more.

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“They have such a strong respect and such a strong friendship that only a really strong relationship could be built on that friendship,” Smith says. “We’ve seen them flirt and we’ve seen them have a kiss. This is kind of the history that’s necessary for that kind of relationship to be forged.”

There won’t be a lot of time for gazing into one another’s eyes on Tuesday’s episode, however, as Eric finds himself in the midst of the action, according to Foa.

“It was exciting to shoot, with LL Cool J, Chris O’Donnell and Eric Christian Olsen kind of protecting me,” Foa admits. “I’m usually locked up in my monkey cage tapping away on my computer. But Eric was really needed in the field this time, and it was cool.”

And the potential sparks between Eric and Nell aren’t the only thing called into question during the hour. “There’s some themes about, ‘Wow, should Eric Beale leave NCIS for a more lucrative life, maybe less dangerous?'” Foa teases.

Adds Smith: “He gets to see one of his best friends from college, who had kind of a similar background to him, and he’s living this big high life bachelor lifestyle in this high-rise, downtown loft-style apartment. … But ultimately, Eric works for the government, and he has a lot of impact on our safety and our country’s well-being. So ultimately, that kind of weighs out for him.”

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Tonight on NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 9/8c), mild-mannered Eric Beale finds himself smack dab in the middle of a murder case – and not in a good way – when a college pal with access to Russian missile codes gets killed. And to get at the truth, his ops sidekick Nell will need to work her womanly wiles…?! Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith previewed for TVLine Eric’s “super cozy” jail stint (get an exclusive look at his mug shot!), Nell’s turn as a prim-but-flirty lawyer and Kensi’s surprising homecoming.

TVLINE | What has Eric gotten himself into this week?
BARRETT FOA | Eric Beale gets kind of involved with a bit of a crime, when his old college friend is shot at while playing an online game with Eric. After I hear it happen, I run over to his place and somehow get mixed up and start tampering with the crime scene, so I get thrown in jail, where there’s a bit of a hairy biker/Eric Beale sandwich.
RENÉE FELICE SMITH | A biker/Beale sandwich! The tastiest kind.
BARRETT | Eric is not too happy about that.
RENÉE | Weren’t you wearing your polar bear pajamas…?
BARRETT | Yes, I was, the ones from a previous season, and with my flip-flops, so it’s a little harrowing to spend the night in jail. Dressed like that. With the hairy biker guys. Super cozy. But eventually he gets sprung and then he ends up getting out in the field.

TVLINE | Because he’s basically the only sort of witness to this murder, right?
BARRETT | That’s true. And then reunites with another college buddy, Ira, who puts some questions in his head about, “Hmm, maybe you’re not appreciated at NCIS. Maybe you should come over to a more lucrative side of computer hacking.” And for a moment, that is something Eric struggles with. Like we all do — “What if I could be making more money doing something else?”
RENÉE | It’s a temptation. Eric Beale and Ira have the same background but Ira is living the high life, with a bachelor pad downtown….
BARRETT | Yeah, it’s a temptation, and it made me realize how government workers who are keeping our country safe, like Eric Beale, they’re sacrificing their lives and for not a lot of money.

TVLINE | But Renee, Eric is appreciated at NCIS, right?NCIS Los Angeles Eric Nell
RENÉE | Of course he’s appreciated! And he’s got friends who’ve got his back at his job, and that carries a lot of weight. That’s why we stick around.

TVLINE | As Eric struggles with this, does he seek counsel from Nell?
RENÉE | Eric and Nell have several key moments in the episode. There’s definitely some conflict between them at one point, because Nell turns up the charm to get what she wants out of Ira in an interrogation. It kind of sparks a moment where Eric is like, “Hey, wait a minute she’s my girl! What are you doing with her, Mr. Fancy Pants Ira?” But it was fun. I got to kind of go undercover as this prim, hard-hitting lawyer, and I got to reprimand LL Cool J and “throw him out” of the interrogation room.
BARRETT | Eric likes the show Nell’s putting on, but when it gets a little too cozy he doesn’t like it. But again, it’s about the team and that support system. There was a scene where I was on the roof, and I’ve never had bullets being shot at me — that was a first for Eric — so it was cool to see LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell protecting me from the bad guys. There’s also a really nice scene that Nell and I have, where she kind of welcomes Eric back and comforts him, after the rough night in jail.
RENÉE | She’s basically using humor to calm the situation and ease him back into the workplace, which is what we do as humans.
BARRETT | Renee just did that for me the other day when I was having some [real-life] personal problems.
RENÉE | Like my great-grandma always said, “If you don’t laugh you’re gonna cry, so you might as well laugh.”

TVLINE | Ooh, I like that saying. You two have had a particularly interesting past year-and-a-half or so. Any favorite moments?
RENÉE | My knife fight this season was kind of groundbreaking for my character. She’s always been this intelligent person and now we have her in the field, and whatever training she’s received from Hetty is being seen played out. She carries a knife in her boot, so now we know that about her. Don’t [mess] with her, she’s ready to go!
BARRETT | Definitely the Christmas episode last year, with the kiss between Eric and Nell, that whole teasing. But I also loved the “pants episode” this season. Basically I had e-mailed one of our EPs, like, “It’s really cold on set, maybe Eric Beale gets to wear some long pants? Maybe it’s time?” And we had this hilarious e-mail exchange and eventually Scott Gemmill wrote an episode where Hetty puts Eric in pants, and he just cannot handle it. His thighs are being “constricted” and he doesn’t feel free…. And Nell is like, “Dude, you’ve gotta relax.” We also learned that Eric used to wear kilts in ops….
RENÉE | He’s a very complex character.

TVLINE | Next week, the team goes over to Afghanistan — but do Eric and Nell stay behind to hold down the fort?
RENÉE | It’s a bit of fort-holding.
BARRETT | Much holding of fort. Eric and Nell break the rules and go out of ops every now and into the field, but there are some essential things that need to be done in ops.
RENÉE | Eric’s our rock and Nell’s our pebble. Sometimes she flits around, but she always finds herself back in ops with Eric.

TVLINE | [Showrunner] Shane Brennan told me that when Kensi eventually comes back from Afghanistan (in the April 8 episode), it’s not exactly the easiest homecoming.
BARRETT | There are some transition issues.
RENÉE | There are definitely issues. Hetty kind of encourages Kensi to stay close to home in ops, so she and Eric Beale get to spend some time together, which gives Nell and Deeks some time together in the field. It’s nice to see the partnerships broken up, different people interacting.
BARRETT | [Ops] is not Kensi’s area of expertise. She’s doesn’t thrive there. And she’s kind of annoying for Eric. [Laughs]

TVLINE | Lastly, what if anything are you hearing about the finale?
BARRETT | Not as much as you are, probably. They keep pretty tight-lipped.

TVLINE | But shall we assume pyrotechnics?
BARRETT | I am sure.
RENÉE | Most definitely!

Click to see and exlusive photo March 25th, episode.

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THE TEAM INVESTIGATES A CASE THAT CALLS NELL TO JOIN DEEKS IN THE FIELD, WHILE ERIC IS GIVEN A NEW PARTNER IN OPS, ON “NCIS: LOS ANGELES,” TUESDAY, APRIL 8

“Windfall” – When the NCIS: Los Angeles team investigates a case involving a former marine who is being tracked down by members of al Qaeda for embezzling money from Iraq, Hetty assigns Nell to join Deeks in the field. Meanwhile, Eric is given a new partner in Ops, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, April 8 (9:00-10:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

CHEAT TWEET: Nell joins Deeks in the field and Eric is given a new partner in ops! #NCISLA #CBS 4/8 9/8c

Do you have anything for us NCIS: LA/Densi fans? –Krisztina
When I spoke with Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith (aka Eric and Nell), they confirmed that there will be “some transition issues” when Kensi eventually makes her way back to the States, ones that affect her partnership with Deeks. “Hetty kind of encourages Kensi to stay close to home, in ops,” Smith previewed. “So she and Eric Beale get to share some time together, which gives Nell and Deeks some time together out in the field.”

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