It’s been more than two years since NCIS: Los Angeles signed off for good, ending its explosive 14-season run with a finale that was equal parts emotional and ambiguous. But if you ask longtime fans of the series, the show didn’t exactly end—it just left the room quietly, mid-conversation.
And now, we’re still waiting.
We’re waiting to see what happened to G. Callen and Anna Kolcheck after their low-key wedding in the final moments. We’re waiting for Hetty Lange’s fate to be resolved once and for all. We’re waiting for a proper reunion—something more than a farewell, something that honors the characters we followed for over a decade.
Because if there’s one thing NCIS: LA taught us, it’s that closure isn’t always a luxury. But hope? That’s always on the table.
The Ending That Wasn’t an Ending
When NCIS: Los Angeles aired its final episode in May 2023, it delivered a surprisingly soft landing for a show known for fast cars, sniper standoffs, and global threats. With Callen and Anna heading off to honeymoon in Switzerland, Sam Hanna accepting a new assignment in Morocco, and Kensi and Deeks preparing to expand their family, it felt more like a “see you later” than a “goodbye.”
And that’s exactly why fans haven’t moved on.
“I kept waiting for an announcement, a spinoff, something,” one Reddit user wrote earlier this year. “It didn’t feel over. It felt paused.”
In a universe as expansive as NCIS, that’s not an unreasonable feeling. After all, the flagship series is still going strong, NCIS: Hawai’i ran for three seasons, and a new spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, is now in production. So where’s the next chapter for the LA team?
The Hetty Lange Question
Perhaps the biggest unresolved thread is Hetty.
Linda Hunt’s mysterious and beloved character was noticeably absent throughout most of Season 14, with her storyline left open-ended. Hetty was last seen operating deep undercover in Syria, with only vague references and occasional emails surfacing during the show’s final episodes. While producers promised closure, none ever came.
“Hetty deserved more than an offscreen exit,” said a fan on X (formerly Twitter). “We need her story finished. Is she dead? Alive? Still pulling strings?”
Executive producer R. Scott Gemmill hinted in past interviews that there was always a plan to revisit Hetty’s fate in some way—but with the show officially ended, fans are still waiting for that promise to be fulfilled.
The Spinoff That Could Be
With NCIS: Tony & Ziva reigniting interest in legacy characters, speculation has surged about a similar treatment for NCIS: LA. Could Sam Hanna’s next assignment in Morocco be the premise for a future limited series? Could Kensi and Deeks finally get their own family-centered spinoff?
It’s not just fan fiction. LL Cool J reprised his role as Sam Hanna briefly on NCIS: Hawai’i, proving that character crossovers—and loyalty to the NCIS universe—are still alive and well.
“If the Ziva and Tony show works, I don’t see why we can’t get a Sam and Callen arc too,” said one longtime viewer. “Or even a Hetty prequel. There’s so much more story here.”
A Cast That’s Still Engaged
Another reason fans haven’t moved on? The cast hasn’t either.
Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, and LL Cool J remain close, often posting throwback photos and behind-the-scenes memories on social media. Their continued engagement keeps the fandom thriving—even without new episodes.
And when asked about a return to their roles, most cast members haven’t closed the door.
“The way the show ended, there’s room for more,” Olsen said in a 2024 interview. “I’d be open to it. I think most of us would.”
So, What Are We Waiting For?
We’re waiting for the full-circle moment. For the unresolved threads to be tied up. For one last mission. For Hetty’s final bow. For confirmation that the relationships and sacrifices we invested in for 14 seasons mattered—on screen and off.
And with NCIS continuing to expand its universe, the possibility isn’t as far-fetched as it seems.
Until then, fans will keep rewatching. They’ll keep asking. And yes—they’ll keep waiting.
Because when it comes to NCIS: Los Angeles, letting go has never really been part of the plan.
