A definitive ranking of the show’s most impactful farewells—from heartbreaking to heroic.
After 14 adrenaline-pumping seasons, NCIS: Los Angeles saw its fair share of goodbyes. From surprise departures to emotional send-offs, each exit left a mark—on the team and the fans. Here’s a ranking of the major character exits from the hit CBS series, based on emotional impact, storyline closure, and legacy within the NCIS universe.
1. Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt)
Exit Type: Gradual Phase-Out
Final Status: Still alive, operating in the shadows
Though never formally “killed off” or given a grand farewell, Hetty’s slow disappearance from the team left a haunting void. As the OSP’s enigmatic leader, her wisdom and secrets shaped the entire series. Her quiet exit—leaving behind a letter—was bittersweet and open-ended. No one could truly fill her shoes.
2. G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell)
Exit Type: Series Finale
Final Status: Retired from NCIS to start a new life
As the central figure since Day One, Callen’s journey came full circle. The series finale gave him a proper send-off, with closure on his past, peace in his relationship with Anna, and a quiet retreat from undercover life. His departure felt earned, emotional, and reflective of everything he endured.
3. Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen)
Exit Type: Series Finale
Final Status: Left NCIS with Kensi to start a family
Fans feared for Deeks’ future many times, but the final season gave him a happy ending. After years of high-stakes operations, his exit with Kensi to begin a family marked a heartfelt and well-deserved goodbye. It was the kind of optimistic exit few agents get.
4. Dominic Vail (Adam Jamal Craig)
Exit Type: Mid-Season Death
Final Status: Killed in action saving Sam Hanna
The first major shock of the series. Dom’s death in Season 1 was brutal and unexpected. He died a hero, sacrificing himself for a teammate. While the storytelling around his exit was debated, the emotional blow was undeniable. It set the tone that no one was ever truly safe.
5. Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah)
Exit Type: Series Finale
Final Status: Retired from fieldwork for family life
Kensi’s exit paralleled Deeks’, reinforcing the theme of new beginnings. A fierce agent who survived harrowing missions and personal trauma, Kensi earned her peace. Her decision to prioritize family offered the character a full-circle moment and a much-needed rest.
6. Nell Jones (Renée Felice Smith)
Exit Type: Voluntary Departure
Final Status: Left NCIS to pursue new opportunities
Nell’s exit was driven by internal conflict—she struggled to fill Hetty’s shoes and yearned for a life beyond the walls of NCIS. Though she briefly returned, her final choice to walk away with Eric was respectful to her arc and gave her character agency.
7. Eric Beale (Barrett Foa)
Exit Type: Business Opportunity
Final Status: Left to run a tech startup
The quirky tech genius had one of the more lighthearted exits. Eric’s transition from NCIS nerd to Silicon Valley entrepreneur felt natural for the character, though many fans missed his energy and humor. His return to help Nell leave made for a satisfying send-off.
8. Sam Hanna (LL COOL J)
Exit Type: Crossed Over to NCIS
Final Status: Still active, now in the main NCIS team
Sam didn’t really “exit” so much as relocate. While his time on NCIS: LA ended, his story continues in the wider NCIS universe. His cameo in NCIS Season 22 was a fan-favorite and showed that Sam’s legacy is still very much alive.
9. Michelle Hanna (Aunjanue Ellis)
Exit Type: Off-Screen Death
Final Status: Killed off-screen by a terrorist group
Though Michelle wasn’t a regular, her death hit hard. As Sam Hanna’s wife, her brutal off-screen murder by a terrorist cell sent shockwaves through the team and deeply changed Sam forever. It’s one of the most emotionally charged moments in the show’s run.
10. Granger (Miguel Ferrer)
Exit Type: Real-Life Actor Death
Final Status: Died off-screen from illness
Assistant Director Owen Granger was a tough, complex figure. After Miguel Ferrer’s passing, the series honored him with a subtle but heartfelt farewell, allowing the character to bow out quietly and with dignity.
Honorable Mentions
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Sabatino (Erik Palladino): Recurring CIA agent with unclear loyalties, phased out gradually.
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Anna Kolcheck (Bar Paly): Callen’s love interest who left but returned sporadically before the series finale.
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Renko (Brian Avers): Early OSP member, killed in Season 3—a reminder of the show’s high-stakes world.
Final Thoughts
NCIS: Los Angeles was never afraid to say goodbye—sometimes shockingly, sometimes tenderly. Whether heroic, heartbreaking, or hopeful, each character’s exit added to the rich legacy of a show that never stopped evolving. As fans, we mourned these departures—but we also celebrated the journeys that made them matter.
