Where Has NCIS: Los Angeles’ Hetty Been All Season?
Fans of NCIS: Los Angeles have been wondering just where Operations Manager Henrietta “Hetty” Lange has been in the CBS crime dramas tenth season.
And while the series may have given some insight into the character’s whereabouts, most may not realize that Hetty’s absence wasn’t initially planned as part of a storyline arc but rather a result of the actress’ personal life. The actress who plays Hetty on the popular TV series, Linda Hunt, was involved in a car accident in July 2018, which reportedly resulted in her hospitalization. And though the details of her injuries haven’t been made public, they’ve apparently kept Hunt from being able to film NCIS: Los Angeles…
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the creative direction of the show?
“Where Has NCIS: Los Angeles’ Hetty Been All Season?”
Fans of NCIS: Los Angeles have been anxiously awaiting the return of one of their most beloved characters, Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, played by Linda Hunt. However, this season has seen Hetty’s absence from the show, leading fans to wonder where she has been and why she has been missing in action in the NCIS universe.
Hetty has been a central character on NCIS: Los Angeles since its inception, and her unique blend of intelligence, wicked sense of humor, and strong character has made her one of the most memorable characters on the show. Over the years, fans have enjoyed watching Hetty navigate the many challenges that come with leading a team of special agents tasked with protecting the country from various threats.
However, this season has seen Hetty almost completely absent from the show. Indeed, fans have only seen her in a few brief scenes, such as when she appeared in a video message to the team, in which she assured them that she was still overseeing their operations from afar.
While some may have assumed that Linda Hunt was unable to reprise her role due to health concerns, the reality is that Hunt has been dedicated to the show since the beginning, and her health is not the reason for Hetty’s absence. Instead, the showrunners made a conscious decision to focus on other characters this season, including Special Agent Kensi Blye’s pregnancy journey and the introduction of new characters to the team.
Furthermore, the show’s executive producer, R. Scott Gemmill, revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the show’s creative direction this season. With new safety protocols in place, the show had to work within a more limited number of characters and sets, which naturally impacted upon what we saw on screen. In the end, the decision was made to write Hetty out of the show for the time being to make room for other storylines.
Fans of NCIS: Los Angeles need not worry, however. The show’s creators have confirmed that Hetty will return to the show once things return to normal, and hinted that she has some significant character development coming her way when she does. We can only imagine what Hetty has been up to in her time away from the team, and what new challenges she will have to face when she returns.
In conclusion, Hetty’s absence from NCIS: Los Angeles this season has been a great disappointment for fans. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the show’s creative decisions shaping this season’s storylines, it is understandable that her absence was necessary. Fans can look forward to her eventual return and the excitement and energy she will undoubtedly bring with her. Until then, we will continue to enjoy the other characters and stories that make NCIS: Los Angeles a must-watch for fans of the genre.