In 2014, Lucas Black became a member of the cast of NCIS: New Orleans, playing senior agent Christopher LaSalle for the show’s first six seasons. Fans were greatly surprised by his departure in 2019, especially given that the character was fatally shot while looking into his brother’s death. Naturally, the actor has been questioned a lot about his departure, but in 2021 he opened out about the real reasons behind his choice.
Speaking to Lee Domingue on his podcast ‘Legacy Starts Today,’ Lucas explained that he had quit NCIS: New Orleans after realizing that it was affecting his family life with his wife, Maggie, and their three children.
“All throughout my career there was a concern because I would observe how the entertainment industry would destroy families, and destroy families,” he said. “The way it’s run, you’re travelling, it’s a very fast pace, lots of long hours, especially in television.”
After recalling the NCIS: New Orleans production schedule, which frequently required him to put in 70-hour work weeks, Lucas continued, “It was time, it was time for me to leave. I thought my work there was done. I believe that pace is unsustainable for a happy marriage. If you continue working at that speed, it is unsustainable and negative things will inevitably occur.
While Lucas made the decision to leave, he has called his role on the show an “honour.” Posting a video on Twitter shortly after his character’s death, he said: “I want to say what an honour it was to play this character, special agent LaSalle.” He concluded: “Chapter’s ended. What a great journey it was.”
Following his departure from the show, Lucas, 40, returned to the Fast and Furious franchise in F9, playing Sean Boswell once more. Along with working on his Youtube channel, Real Life Lucas Black, which is devoted to his hunting and fishing activities, he has also appeared in the 2022 film Legacy Peak.