After more than a decade of high-stakes missions, undercover drama, and unforgettable partnerships, NCIS: Los Angeles is gearing up for one of its boldest chapters yet. Season 13 isn’t just a return—it’s a reckoning. With fan-favorite exits, shocking new additions, and the long-awaited comeback of Hetty Lange, the beloved spin-off is once again reinventing itself.
A Return to Sunday Nights and a New Beginning
Mark your calendars, agents—NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 premiered Sunday, October 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The action-packed procedural, which first hit the airwaves in 2009, continues to prove that even after a dozen years, there are still plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of the City of Angels.
But this time, it’s not business as usual. The team is changing, the leadership is shifting, and old ghosts are coming back to haunt the agents who thought they’d seen it all.
Who’s Back in Action? The Core Team Returns
Good news for longtime fans: the heart of the NCIS: LA family is still intact. Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J return as Agents G. Callen and Sam Hanna—the duo whose loyalty and chemistry have anchored the series since day one.
Joining them once again are:
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Linda Hunt as the enigmatic Operations Manager, Henrietta “Hetty” Lange
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Daniela Ruah as Kensi Blye, whose fierce determination and emotional depth continue to evolve
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Eric Christian Olsen as Marty Deeks, the witty and resilient LAPD liaison
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Medalion Rahimi as Special Agent Fatima Namazi, bringing a new energy to the team
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Caleb Castille as Agent Devin Roundtree, still proving himself in the field
This returning lineup promises the mix of heart, humor, and heroism fans have come to expect—but behind the scenes, change is on the horizon.
Farewell to Fan Favorites: Nell and Eric Exit Together
Every season of NCIS: LA brings tough choices, but Season 13 opens with one of the most emotional departures in the show’s history.
Renée Felice Smith (Nell Jones) and Barrett Foa (Eric Beale) have officially closed their NCIS chapter—at least for now. After years of serving as the team’s tech brains and moral compass, the pair made a joint exit, heading off to Tokyo for a new adventure.
In the season 12 finale, Nell was faced with a life-altering decision: take over Hetty’s job or follow Eric to Japan to help grow his tech company, Kaleidoscope. She chose love, freedom, and a future far away from operations.
But fans shouldn’t give up hope just yet. Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill teased that a “loophole” remains—when Nell joked she’d only last “six weeks” in Tokyo, viewers were left wondering if this goodbye is truly permanent. “We’ll see what happens,” Gemmill teased, leaving the door open for a potential return.
A New Power Player Rises: Admiral Kilbride Takes Command
As two beloved characters exit, a commanding presence steps in. NCIS: LA has officially promoted Gerald McRaney to series regular in his role as Retired Navy Admiral Hollace Kilbride.
Kilbride has been a recurring figure since 2014, but this season marks his first as a full-time leader—and fans can expect him to “shake up” the dynamic in the Operations center. With his military precision, dry wit, and moral code, Kilbride may be the most formidable authority figure the team has ever faced.
“When you have an actor of Gerald McRaney’s caliber, you do everything you can to make sure you get him as often as possible,” Gemmill told Deadline. “Admiral Kilbride has been an esteemed part of our universe for seven years, and now viewers will see him step into a larger, more disruptive role.”
Hetty Lange’s Long-Awaited Return
After a mysterious absence through much of Season 12, the one and only Hetty Lange is officially back. Linda Hunt’s triumphant return in the Season 12 finale marked a turning point for the show—and Season 13 promises to explore where she’s been, what she’s hiding, and how her secret mission will pull the entire team into dangerous new territory.
Showrunner Gemmill describes Hetty’s storyline as both “volatile” and “emotional,” hinting at tension between her and Kilbride. “They’re both very smart and very stubborn,” he told TV Insider. “Kilbride outranks Hetty, but he respects her—even when he disagrees with her methods or questions the cost of her success.”
And as Hetty unpacks her weapons and resumes her post, fans can expect explosive confrontations, hard truths, and a deeper look into her mysterious off-the-books operation.
Love, Lies, and Callen’s Crossroads
While leadership at NCIS: LA is shifting, the personal stakes are rising for G. Callen. After rescuing Agent Anna Kolcheck (Bar Paly) and wrestling with her betrayal last season, Callen faces a major decision: can he trust her enough to rebuild their relationship—or will his lingering doubts destroy what’s left of their love story?
Rumors swirl that the ring Callen once planned to give Anna might reappear in Season 13. But if it does, it could mean more heartbreak than happily ever after—especially with her father, the unpredictable Arkady Kolcheck, back in the picture.
Deeks and Kensi: Danger Meets Domestic Life
Kensi and Deeks fans can breathe easy—at least for now. The beloved duo, still basking in the glow of their hard-won marriage, will continue navigating the dangerous balance between fieldwork and family life.
After Kensi’s harrowing kidnapping and Deeks’ latest brush with danger, the couple’s resilience will once again be tested as they consider the next step in their lives—possibly starting a family. But as every NCIS: LA fan knows, happiness in this universe never comes without risk.
Episode Count and What’s Next
CBS hasn’t confirmed the exact number of episodes for Season 13, but fans can expect at least 18—and hopefully a return to the pre-pandemic standard of 24. With production back in full swing, the series aims to deliver more action, heart, and humor than ever before.
The show will continue to air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with episodes available for streaming on Paramount+ after broadcast.
And if you’re feeling nostalgic, every past season of NCIS: Los Angeles is available to binge on Paramount+ and the USA Network.
A New Era for the Franchise
After more than a decade, NCIS: Los Angeles remains the beating heart of the NCIS universe—proving that family, loyalty, and justice still matter in a world that’s constantly changing.
With fresh leadership, beloved characters, and Hetty’s mysterious past finally coming to light, Season 13 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable—and emotional—chapters yet.
