Longtime NCIS: Los Angeles fans are growing increasingly vocal about the continued absence of one of the show’s most beloved characters—Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, played by Linda Hunt. As Season 13 neared its end and Season 14 loomed, viewers became frustrated that Hetty had not yet returned in a meaningful way.
Hunt, who has portrayed the enigmatic and sharp-witted Operations Manager since NCIS: LA premiered in 2009, last appeared briefly in the Season 13 premiere. While her character was said to be on a covert mission in Syria, fans didn’t expect her absence to stretch across nearly two full seasons.
As the silence surrounding Hetty’s comeback continues, loyal viewers have taken to social media to express both their admiration and concern. When the actress celebrated her 77th birthday, fans flooded Instagram and Twitter with warm birthday wishes—and passionate pleas for her return.
“Happy Birthday! Please come back, Hetty—we need you,” one fan wrote. Another chimed in, “NCIS: LA isn’t the same without your wit and mystery!”
The lack of official updates has only added to the speculation. When CBS renewed the show for Season 13 in 2021, there was no indication that Linda Hunt’s role would be scaled back. Yet, after her brief appearance in the premiere, Hetty disappeared again without resolution. With the series approaching its final stretch, fans are understandably worried that she may not return at all before the show wraps up for good.
Despite the uncertainty, executive producer R. Scott Gemmill has hinted at the desire to bring Hetty back for a significant storyline—especially one tied to Callen and Anna’s wedding. Still, with time running out, audiences are holding onto hope that the OSP’s original matriarch will return for a proper farewell.
