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The NCIS: Los Angeles fanbase is growing more restless with every passing Sunday when there still isn’t word about actress Linda Hunt’s character, Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, making her triumphant return. With season 13 of NCIS: LA coming to an end this spring, fans are demanding answers on social media wherever and whenever they can.
On April 2, the CBS procedural drama took to its official Instagram and Twitter accounts to celebrate Linda’s birthday with NCIS: LA viewers. “Never to be underestimated. Happy birthday to the incredible Linda Hunt! 👑,” the show captioned a still photo of her with a reference to a Hetty quote.
As viewers may know, the actress has starred on the NCIS spin-off since 2009 as the Operations Manager for the Office of Special Projects (OSP). Throughout the past decade, folks have grown to love Hetty for her kindness and mysteriousness. But the latter has become a major part of the current NCIS: LA installment after she was last seen in the season 13 premiere.
After hearing that their favorite CBS actress was turning 77 years old, fans rushed over to the Instagram comments section to share heartwarming birthday wishes. Many also begged the actress to come back to the show soon.
“Happy Birthday, can’t wait for you to come back to NCIS LA miss you!” another added. “Happy Birthday, Linda!We miss Hetty! Please come back from whatever mission you’re on, Hetty! NCIS LA needs your sharp wit & mysterious ways!” a different fan said on Twitter.
When the TV network renewed NCIS: LA for its 13th season back in April 2021, there was no mention of Linda having a less prominent role on the show. But when the series returned in September 2021, Linda’s character only stopped by the City of Angels for a brief moment before heading back to her secret mission in Syria.
That said, folks didn’t realize how long she would be gone, and with only a handful of episodes left, many are worried that she also won’t appear in season 14.