Few NCIS: Los Angeles characters carry as much intrigue as Hetty Lange — and fans finally have reason to hope. After her prolonged absence sparked concern, executive producer R. Scott Gemmill has confirmed that Linda Hunt is expected to return before the series ends.
Hetty was last seen in Season 13, operating covertly from afar. Season 14 reignited the mystery when the team learned a body found in Syria carried her identification — a reveal later twisted into classic Hetty misdirection, suggesting she staged her own death. The move immediately signaled that her story wasn’t over.
According to Gemmill, Hetty’s return is creatively essential, especially as Callen prepares to marry Anna. “She’s a vital part of his past,” he noted, emphasizing the desire to reunite mentor and protégé. While scheduling and safety concerns have limited Hunt’s on-screen appearances in recent years, the goal is to bring Hetty back in a meaningful way.
