For 14 seasons, Linda Hunt’s Henrietta “Hetty” Lange was the quiet force at the heart of NCIS: Los Angeles—brilliant, unpredictable, and always in control. So when the series finale aired without her, fans were left stunned by her absence.
The reason, however, was never meant to be a dramatic plot twist. Behind the scenes, Hunt gradually stepped back due to health concerns and COVID-era safety considerations, choosing wellbeing over the demands of network television. Rather than forcing a farewell or recasting the role, the show honored both the actress and the character by leaving Hetty’s fate open-ended.
Her absence became its own tribute. Hetty was never defined by grand gestures; she influenced from the shadows, disappearing when the moment called for it. By allowing her story to remain unresolved, the series preserved her mystique—and her legacy.
