After NCIS: Los Angeles was abruptly canceled, the mystery of what happened to Linda Hunt’s Hetty Lange remains unanswered, and there are several possible explanations for it. As of 2023, Hetty was still the Operations Manager for NCIS: Los Angeles but her role had been severely reduced. The last time she even appeared on-screen was in season 13, which left behind a mystery about what really happened to her.
5. Hetty Stayed Overseas
Hetty Was Abroad In The NCIS: Los Angeles Series Finale
When Hetty appeared for the last time in NCIS: Los Angeles, it was to announce that she had been assigned to a long-term mission in Syria. While she was gone, Hollace Kilbride took over the role of Operations Manager. His substitution was meant to be temporary, but Hetty never returned on-screen to reprise the position.
As of the NCIS: Los Angeles finale, Hetty was still overseas, but whether she remained in Syria was unclear. Following Callen and Anna’s wedding, he received a letter from Hetty which led him and Sam to Morocco on a mission. From the letter and Hetty’s physical absence, it was implied that she was still working abroad. An apperance would have been great, but at least she was still keeping close tabs on her NCIS: Los Angeles team.
4. Hetty Reduced Her Workload & Tapped Callen’s Help
G. Callen Could Have Taken Over Hetty’s Role
With Hunt’s character potentially still overseas and likely working on multiple projects at the same time, it is possible Hetty has given up her role as the Operations Manager since the finale. While Kilbride took over Hetty’s role in a temporary position, she could have given her responsibilities to Callen on a more permanent basis. She trusts Callen immensely, so sharing her workload with him makes sense.
NCIS: Los Angeles’ G. Callen is also the perfect person for the job. He and Hetty are practically family. Not only that, but Callen understands the inner workings of the team and if anyone were to take over, it should be Callen. NCIS season 22 even revealed that Callen is still working as the team leader when he bought from McGee’s fundraiser. Because of this, having him take over Hetty’s role makes even more sense.
3. Hetty Retired
Hetty’s Retirement Aligns With Her Limited Appearances
Hetty was still working at the time of the NCIS: Los Angeles finale, but her limited character appearances could have been the lead-up to her retirement. It is not exactly known how much Hetty worked in Syria or in the other countries she visited. As a result, it is entirely feasible to imagine she has since retired.
…it is nice to think that after all the stress she endured throughout her life, Hetty finally found time to relax in peace.
It is almost funny to imagine Hetty as a retiree because she was such an eccentric character with different interests and an intense personal history. She was always so busy and was a big part of NCIS: Los Angeles’ success. However, it is nice to think that after all the stress she endured throughout her life, Hetty finally found time to relax in peace.
2. Hetty Found A New Passion
Hetty Has Always Had Several Different Interests
Hetty was nothing if not interesting and her personal life mirrored this view. She threw herself into her work with NCIS: Los Angeles and her missions with the CIA. Beyond that, she also had several hobbies and interests, including becoming a polyglot with her impressive list of languages she is fluent in.
As a result, Hetty could have chosen to do something else with her life. From the finale, it was clear that Hetty was still following her NCIS: Los Angeles team, but she was not working as closely with them as before. This change could have been the result of her just finding something else to do since she knew the NCIS: Los Angeles characters could handle anything life threw at them.
1. Hetty Has Sadly Died
Hetty’s Age Makes It A Possibility
While it was confirmed that Hetty was still alive as of the NCIS: Los Angeles finale, she could have died shortly after. Hetty’s age and the delicate nature of her work could both have been contributing factors to her passing away. NCIS: Los Angeles even had a story in season 14, which featured Hetty faking her death to protect herself. The reality is unfortunately not so far off.
…with Hetty’s limited appearances, it is possible that the character had growing health problems, which explains her reduced interactions with the team.
Hetty has been through so much over the course of her time on NCIS: Los Angeles that it is better to imagine that she is still doing what she loves and helping people with her brilliant skills. However, with Hetty’s limited appearances, it is possible that the character had growing health problems, which explains her reduced interactions with the team. NCIS season 22 has proved that NCIS: Los Angeles is not over yet, but only time will solve the Hetty Lange mystery.
