For more than a decade, NCIS: Los Angeles has thrived on espionage, family bonds, and a healthy dose of chaos courtesy of Operations Manager Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt). A fan favorite since the show’s very beginning, Hetty has often been the mysterious puppet master pulling strings behind the scenes, leading her team into—and sometimes out of—life-threatening situations.
But Season 13 threw Hetty back into familiar, secretive waters when she disappeared once again on a classified mission. Fans caught only glimpses of her whereabouts in the premiere, where she was seen examining maps of the Syrian Desert. Her mission appeared to take her deep into the Middle East—alone, vulnerable, and potentially expendable. In fact, new team boss Admiral Kilbride (Gerald McRaney) didn’t hesitate to warn that if Hetty’s assignment went sideways, he’d have no problem “disavowing” her.
That cold warning has left longtime fans on edge. After all, Hetty has survived countless shadow wars, but she has also made plenty of enemies along the way. And now, one of those former foes may be hinting at a comeback that could rock Hetty—and the entire NCIS: LA team—to the core.
Hetty’s Vanishing Act
Hetty’s absences have been part of the NCIS: LA playbook for years. From covert missions to personal vendettas, she always returns at the moment her team needs her most. But this particular disappearance feels different. For starters, Kilbride’s pragmatic approach means Hetty doesn’t have the blanket protection she once did. She’s operating without the safety net of her family at OSP—and if she makes a misstep, she could be left stranded.
This opens the door to an intriguing possibility: what if someone from Hetty’s long list of enemies finds her first?
The Enemy Within
In a recent interview, a former NCIS: LA star who once played one of Hetty’s adversaries suggested they “might consider” returning to the series. While the actor stopped short of confirming anything, the choice of words has sent the fandom buzzing.
Could the series be planning to pit Hetty against one of her former enemies? Season 5 in particular stands out as a time when Hetty was directly targeted by individuals from her past—people who knew her secrets and weren’t afraid to use them against her. Bringing one of those foes back now, when Hetty is most vulnerable, could be the ultimate full-circle twist.
Why Now?
If Hetty does face off with a returning enemy, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. With the team already stretched thin—Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) and Kensi (Daniela Ruah) balancing fieldwork and family, Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) mentoring younger agents, and Callen (Chris O’Donnell) confronting revelations about his past—Hetty’s absence has left a gaping hole in the leadership structure.
The return of a dangerous adversary could force the team to rally once again for their beloved leader. It would also give Hetty’s storyline the gravitas it deserves, tying back to the show’s roots while raising the stakes in its later seasons.
The Stakes for Hetty
For Hetty, this isn’t just about survival. It’s about legacy. She has spent her entire career operating in the shadows, often making morally gray choices to protect the greater good. But those choices created enemies—some still alive, waiting for their chance at revenge. If one of them resurfaces now, it could be the most personal and perilous mission of Hetty’s life.
A Possible Farewell?
There’s also the looming question fans don’t want to ask: could this be setting up Hetty’s exit from NCIS: Los Angeles? Linda Hunt has been a central figure since the show’s launch in 2009, but the actress has scaled back appearances in recent years. Reintroducing a major foe could provide the perfect narrative arc for Hetty’s swan song—either in a blaze of glory or in a quietly heroic sacrifice.
What Fans Can Expect
For now, CBS is keeping its cards close to the chest. But the clues are stacking up: Hetty on a dangerous solo mission, Kilbride ready to cut her loose, and an actor hinting at a return as one of her enemies.
If the pieces come together, NCIS: Los Angeles may be preparing one of its most explosive confrontations yet—a battle between Hetty Lange and the ghosts of her past.
👉 Whether it’s a temporary scare or the setup for her final act, one thing is clear: Hetty’s story is far from over, and the return of an old enemy could change everything.
