After 14 seasons of high-stakes cases and character-driven arcs, NCIS: Los Angeles ended in 2023—much to the dismay of its dedicated fanbase. While the finale gave closure to some storylines, it left one major loose end dangling: the fate of Linda Hunt’s beloved character, Hetty Lange. Originally, showrunners had planned for a mission to rescue Hetty to cap off the series, but her limited availability made that impossible.
However, the cast wasn’t ready to let go of that unfinished chapter.
A Movie Pitch Born During the Hollywood Strikes
During the 2024 writers’ and actors’ strikes, members of the NCIS: LA cast began floating the idea of a TV movie to give Hetty—and the fans—proper closure. It wasn’t just idle chatter. According to Chris O’Donnell, who played Special Agent G. Callen, the cast developed a concrete pitch and presented it to CBS.
“We suggested it actually, but I don’t think that formula works really well for CBS,” O’Donnell told TVLine while promoting his new show, 9-1-1: Nashville. “When we were all sitting around during the strike, we were like we could crank one of these out in about six weeks, and it would actually be great. But it didn’t happen.”
Despite strong enthusiasm from the cast and what seemed to be a feasible timeline, CBS passed on the project. The reason? Network executives reportedly believe TV movies don’t perform well on traditional broadcast, casting doubt on their viability in today’s media landscape.
A Missed Opportunity for Closure—and for Streaming
Fans and industry observers alike see the decision as a missed opportunity, especially considering the success of NCIS properties on streaming platforms like Paramount+. Even if CBS didn’t see value in airing a one-off movie on linear television, a streaming release could have filled the gap, especially for fans eager to see the NCIS: LA team reunite one last time for a high-stakes mission.
The Door Isn’t Entirely Closed
Although the movie didn’t happen, NCIS: LA characters haven’t disappeared entirely. LL Cool J returned as Sam Hanna in Season 22 of NCIS, teasing updates about Hetty, Callen, and Anna. While O’Donnell is now tied up with his lead role in 9-1-1: Nashville, the franchise’s interconnected nature leaves room for cameos or even future limited-series revivals.
For now, fans are left to imagine what could have been: a six-week reunion shoot, a globe-trotting mission to save Hetty, and a well-earned goodbye for one of NCIS’s most iconic teams. But as NCIS has taught us over the years—never say never.
