Season 12 marked a turning point for NCIS: Los Angeles with the emotional departure of Eric Beale and Nell Jones, two longtime members of the operations team.
Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill revealed that both Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith had balanced the series with other creative opportunities in recent years. Writing their characters out allowed them to explore new projects while giving the show space to evolve.
Their exit also raised an important question: who would step into Hetty Lange’s leadership role? While the answer remained unclear at the time, Gemmill confirmed discussions were already underway.
Meanwhile, Linda Hunt’s return in the finale reassured viewers that Hetty still had unfinished business. With Season 13 on the horizon, the series prepared to reshape its team structure while honoring the legacy of characters who helped define the show’s early years.