The Office of Special Projects has seen many dramatic exits — but Harley Hidoko’s departure still haunts fans.
For a series set in the golden glow of Los Angeles, NCIS: LA has never shied away from dark and emotional twists. Over its long run, several fan-favorite characters have made painful exits, but few have been as sudden — or as heartbreaking — as the loss of Special Agent Harley Hidoko.
Portrayed by Andrea Bordeaux, Hidoko was introduced in Season 9 as a composed and capable presence within the team. A former Marine staff sergeant, her backstory was already tinged with tragedy — she lost her husband, Wayne, after an injury in Kandahar. Returning to the U.S. as a widow, she became Chief of Staff to Shay Mosley (Nia Long), then Executive Assistant Director for Pacific Operations, and later transitioned into a field role alongside the OSP team.
From her debut in the episode “Party Crashers,” Hidoko quickly proved to be an indispensable agent. Whether it was diffusing terrorist threats or going undercover with Sam Hanna in a Bitcoin heist investigation, she earned the trust and respect of her colleagues and viewers alike. So when she vanished during a rogue mission to Mexico at the end of Season 9, fans held their breath.
Tragically, their worst fears were confirmed in the Season 10 premiere, “To Live and Die in Mexico.” Although the team hoped the burnt remains they discovered weren’t hers, it was revealed that Hidoko had been murdered by a violent cartel. Her death marked a shocking end for a character who had only begun to find her place in the squad.
But why was her time on NCIS: LA so brief?
According to Bordeaux herself, it wasn’t her choice. The actress never indicated a desire to leave the show, and her heartfelt posts on social media suggest that her departure was entirely a creative decision made by the writers. Just before the Season 9 finale aired, Bordeaux shared a message of gratitude on Instagram, thanking the NCIS: LA cast, crew, and fans:
“I just wanted to take a moment to say how grateful, humbled and honored I’ve been to be a part of this show.”
She later echoed her farewell during the Season 10 premiere, writing:
“I’m gonna miss [Harley Hidoko] so much… I’m so proud to have been a part of the #NCISLA team.”
While some speculate the writers simply wanted to end the season on a high-stakes emotional note, it’s also possible Hidoko’s storyline was always meant to be a short arc. Either way, her exit left a lasting impact.
In a franchise known for its rotating roster and surprise twists, Harley Hidoko’s death remains one of the show’s most poignant reminders that no one — not even a rising star — is safe when it comes to NCIS: Los Angeles.
