"NCIS: LA" showrunner Shane Brennan is stepping down from the helm and will be replaced by Scott Gemmill, one of the show's executive producers.

Brennan has worked on the renowned series since its first season but will have to exit the show next season to focus on new projects. According to reports, Brennan signed a two-year contract with the CBS network to develop new projects under Shane Brennan Productions. Despite his exit as the show director, he will still be one of its executive producers.

Gemmill, on the other hand, has written several narratives for the series. The first episode that he wrote was the second episode of "NCIS: LA" season 1.

As for the plot of the next season, it was revealed that one of the focuses of season 8 would be Deek's dark side.

Speaking at the MCM London Comic Con some weeks ago, actor Eric Christian Olsen said that he reflected so much on the other side of Deek. Asked if his violence will be kept under control now that he is back on track with Kensi, Olsen said, "This character shot his dad; his dad was wielding a shotgun and was abusive to his mother. This character killed a cop in defense of a girl. This character obviously has issues of violence solving violence, especially when it comes to women that he cares about."

Meanwhile, Gemmill teased that fans will see Deek pop "the question" to Kensi next season.

"We will not see, I don't think, a proper proposal until next season, because we have an idea for how to do that that I want to play out. I already know how we're going to do it. It's just, the fans have waited long enough that we want it to be worth the wait," he said.

"NCIS: LA" season 8 is expected to premiere in September on CBS.