For more than a decade, Linda Hunt’s Henrietta “Hetty” Lange was the emotional backbone of NCIS: Los Angeles. Her gradual disappearance wasn’t a creative decision alone, but the result of real-life challenges. A car accident in 2018 forced Hunt to step back during Seasons 10 and 11, and later, COVID-19 safety concerns further limited her on-screen presence. Though Hetty largely operated off-screen in the final seasons, her influence never faded. Hunt returned one last time in spirit during the Season 14 finale, delivering a heartfelt letter that perfectly captured Hetty’s wisdom and love for her team. It was a subtle, powerful farewell—one befitting a character whose legacy defined the series.
