When NCIS debuted its first spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles in 2009, some thought they couldn’t love a cast more than Mark Harmon, Sean Murray and Michael Weatherly. Fast forward to almost 13 years later and the NCIS: LA fandom is as loyal as they come, which explains why many folks are hoping to see Linda Hunt’s character, Henrietta "Hetty" Lange, back on camera really soon.
On March 31, CBS announced that all three shows part of the NCIS franchise have been renewed for new seasons including NCIS: LA, which got the green light for a 14th season. (NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i are returning with season 20 and season 2, respectively.) After Deadline broke the exciting news, the show’s official Instagram spread the word to fans.
“NCIS: Los Angeles season 14, next exit,” read a custom highway sign with L.A.’s skyline in the background. “Hop in for the ride — there's a lot more road to travel,” the caption read. “#NCISLA will be coming back for Season 14! 👏🔥.”
What's more, actor LL Cool J, who plays Sam, got in on the celebration with his own Instagram post. "Back at it ✊🏾 Season 14 here we go…" he wrote alongside the same picture.
After hearing the major announcement, fans wasted no time congratulating the NCIS: LA cast on their huge accomplishment. “SO HAPPY AAAAAH!!! 🎉🎉,” one person wrote in the comments section. “LETS GOOOOO,” another added. “OMG, thank you! I’m really looking forward to this,” a different fan said.
Though many were over the moon about the procedural series coming back in the fall with new episodes, some expressed how much they want to see Hetty again. “Yes! But please bring back [Hetty]!” a follower commented. “Will Hetty be back? 🙏🙏,” another said. “👏 Has Hetty (Linda Hunt) retired? We were supposed to see her more this season and haven't why?” someone else wrote.
As viewers know, the actress has starred on NCIS: LA since it first premiered, playing everyone’s favorite operations manager for the Office of Special Projects (OSP). But Hetty hasn’t been seen since October. She was last spotted in the season 13 premiere when she briefly stopped by before going back to her secret mission in Syria.
Most recently, the NCIS: LA fandom sent the actress birthday wishes when she turned 77 years old on April 2. But there was no word about how she was doing off screen. What’s more, the NCIS: LA cast got together with the NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i crews for the 2022 PaleyFest. Unfortunately, Linda wasn’t in attendance for the special event. The same was true when the NCIS: LA team gathered around to commemorate their upcoming 300th episode of the series.
That said, some folks are already predicting that Hetty will make her highly anticipated return in an upcoming milestone airing. “Mother’s Day episode. Hetty will show, it’s episode 300,” a person tweeted. We’ll just have to tune in to see if this actually happens!
Selena is the entertainment and news editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers the latest on TV, movies and celebrities. In addition to writing and editing entertainment news, she also spotlights the Hispanic and Latinx community through her work. She is a graduate of CUNY Hunter College with a B.A. in journalism and creative writing.
