NCIS: Los Angeles was the first show to expand the NCIS franchise, premiering in September 2009 and running for 14 wonderful seasons. One of the reasons the series was so beloved was Linda Hunt's character, Hetty Lange, the Operations Manager for the OSP. She became a fan-favorite character, constantly putting Callen and others in their place while being involved in some intriguing storylines and delivering humorous one-liners, with many looking forward to the cryptic pieces of advice she would share. It was clear that Hetty had a much larger backstory, adding mystery and intrigue to her character.

Hunt remained a series regular for the first 12 seasons, but her role was abruptly shortened for the final two when she was demoted to special guest star before Hetty's Syria storyline NCIS: Los Angeles would be revisited, the writers didn't bring full closure before the end of the series.

Hetty's Role In NCIS: LA Reduced In Later Seasons Explained

Linda Hunt's Reduced Appearances Started In Season 10

Hunt wasn’t originally looking for a consistent TV role, according to an interview with The Daily Beast, but she threw herself into the role of Hetty. However, the first time she stepped away from the show was when she had to take a break during NCIS: Los Angeles season 10 due to a car accident she was involved in. While she didn’t sustain any major injuries, it took more time to recover than she initially thought it would. She returned for season 11, quickly becoming the formidable character everyone knew her as once more.

The next exit came during NCIS: Los Angeles season 12, and shortly after this, she was demoted. Hetty appeared in just a handful of episodes during the season, which was not only delayed but was also challenging to film due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there were plans to bring her back into the story in full from NCIS: Los Angeles season 13, Hunt was demoted to special guest star. Thus, she was only in the first few episodes of season 13 and then appeared through voice messages in the final season.

Linda Hunt's Personal Situation Contributed To NCIS: LA Decreasing Hetty's Prominence

COVID-19 Contributed To Linda Hunt's Reduced Availability

Due to Hunt’s age and health, the NCIS: Los Angeles showrunners had to find a way to film her scenes during that challenging season 12. Everybody involved in the series wanted to keep her safe, and that led to filming in Hunt’s driveway, setting up many scenes where she gave advice and direction through video calls to the team to limit too many people being on set with her. Once Hunt had received her COVID-19 vaccinations, however, she decided that she could return to the set. She returned to film the season 12 finale, something important to her as she had missed spending time with everyone on set.

Had Hunt been available, the mission to save Hetty would have happened in the series finale to offer closure to all those who needed it.

While there were plans to bring Hetty back in season 13 and also in the 14th and final season, those plans changed due to Hunt’s availability and precautions for her health. There were still concerns about the pandemic during season 13, and according to two-part NCIS: Los Angeles series finale, the mission to save Hetty would have happened in the series finale to offer closure to all those who needed it.

Can Hunt Still Return As Hetty In The NCIS Franchise?

The NCIS Franchise Is Still Going Strong

Had Hunt been available for the NCIS: Los Angeles season 14 finale, Gemmill had story plans for the team set out on a rescue mission. Throughout the final two seasons, Hetty was in Syria, and at one point, it looked like she had been in a coffee shop when there was an explosion. Fortunately, Hetty faked her death and was able to get a message to the L.A.-based team during the three-way crossover event to both help the team and clarify that she was still alive. This led to Nell forming a team in the series finale intent on getting the Operations Manager back.

With the NCIS franchise still ongoing in the present day through the flagship series and NCIS: Sydney, there is the opportunity to bring Hetty back.

With the NCIS franchise still ongoing through the flagship series and NCIS: Sydney, there is an opportunity to bring Hetty back. An episode could involve Nell’s team coming to one of the other teams for in Syria. Alternatively, one of the shows could be used as a way to mention Hetty and how the mission is going, which is something NCIS season 22 recently missed an opportunity to do.

After the end of the Los Angeles-based spin-off, there were also talks of a TV movie that could wrap up Hetty’s storyline. Considering the popularity of the NCIS franchise, this could still happen, but it would depend on Hunt’s availability and health. There is an interest to see Hetty saved and her story gain the closure that it deserves.

There is yet another way to bring Hetty back into the NCIS franchise, and that is through the prequel series NCIS: Origins. Viewers have been treated to younger versions of Gibbs, Franks, and others from the flagship series, and there have been suggestions that younger versions of other characters could be included. Dwayne Pride from NCIS: New Orleans and Hetty Lange from NCIS: Los Angeles are the two fan-favorite characters who keep coming up. While this wouldn’t offer closure for Hetty’s present-day story, it would allow viewers to learn more about the character's mysterious younger years.

Sources: The Daily Beast, Soaps.com