‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ Cast Teases Last Case, Callen’s Wedding & More in Series Finale
Preview
“I remember very vividly walking into the bullpen with my arms outstretched, like I was flying a plane and we were taking off,” says LL Cool J, recalling a favorite moment from shooting NCIS: Los Angeles. The scene was in the 2009 series premiere of the first-ever NCIS spinoff, which is closing its last case with a two-part finale, May 14 and 21, after 14 seasons of soaring success.
The actor and rapper plays special agent and former SEAL Sam Hanna, who’s bravely pursued terrorists, gangsters, and other unsavory Angelenos alongside fellow agent G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell). They’ve had each other’s backs in Hollywood foot chases, Malibu gun battles, and a very scary trip to the Middle East in Season 11. (O’Donnell calls that shoot, in the blazing Cali desert, his most physically challenging of the CBS show’s run.) Through it all, they’ve razzed each other the way good friends do.
“Our relationship and chemistry was really what made this thing work,” O’Donnell reflects. “It was that way from the first episode, and I enjoyed every day we spent together. Lotta good laughs on- and offscreen.”
CBS
Along with Callen and Sam, other core characters have remained with the series since Season 1: trained sniper Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) and LAPD liaison and eventual NCIS agent Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen), who wed in Season 10; and Bach-loving, tea-drinking, no-nonsense boss Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt), always good for a colorful quote (see below). Hunt started making fewer appearances during the COVID pandemic, but Hetty continued to send tips and missives from a location in Syria, even if she didn’t appear onscreen. She even made a voice cameo in January’s three-show crossover!
Given that much history with viewers, executive producer R. Scott Gemmill wanted to end on a note that hinted at a sunny future for the team: “Truly living happily ever after, still out there fighting crime and doing good.”
But first, the final two hours throw plenty of unfriendly fire at the agents as they pursue a case involving the ATF and stolen military-grade weapons. The risky assignment brings high action and so much danger it ultimately causes Callen to bump up his wedding (with Sam as best man, of course) to Anna Kolcheck (Bar Paly), who joined in Season 6 as a prospective ATF agent and eventually began freelancing for NCIS.
“Because of what happens during the day, Callen realizes he wants to get married sooner than later,” says Gemmill. “He’s been this lone wolf who hasn’t committed to much of anything other than his job. It’s him accepting the past and moving, looking toward the future.”
A key part of Callen’s past was with Hetty, who recruited him for a secret government program as a teen. Sadly, this complicated mother figure will not be at the impromptu city hall nuptials. On the list: the team’s current leader, gruff admiral Hollace Kilbride (Gerald McRaney), and younger agents who often pair up, Fatima Namazi (Medalion Rahimi) and Devin Rountree (Caleb Castille).
CBS
Gemmill also promises guest stars, noting that wedding attendees have already arrived in town ahead of the originally planned big day. Considering all the comings and goings over the years, we have a long wish list. We’re hoping for onetime tech geek Eric Beale (Barrett Foa, a regular starting in Season 1), who later formed his own company, became a billionaire, and in Season 12 left when he and colleague Nell (Renée Felice Smith) moved to Tokyo. Yes, get Nell—once a sub for Hetty—there too!
No matter who shows up, Gemmill says this will be more low-key than the Blye-Deeks affair, where Kensi intentionally ripped her gown to make it easier to fight some criminal crashers.
NCIS: Los Angeles, Series Finale Sunday, May 14, 10/9c; Sunday, May 21, 9/8c, CBS
This is an excerpt from TV Guide Magazine’s NCIS: Los Angeles cover story. For more inside scoop on what’s coming to TV and streaming in the weeks ahead, pick up the issue, on newsstands Thursday, May 4.
Conversation17 Comments
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G
An ending like a Fairy Tale. And they lived happily ever after. Callen marrying wrong woman flushes that down the toilet. I never cared for person playing Ana and the character was not really written well. Here, gone, in trouble with the law, gets out of jail free card(s), back, gone again. Maybe if she had been on the show more. But that’s my personal opinion. Other than that, I loved the show, the other characters and actors. They were the best. Joelle was perfect for Callen but the writers totally screwed up her character making her CIA. Always wanted to know why they replaced her with Anna.
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T
Even before it was revealed that she was a traitor, I couldn't see Joelle being together with Callen. Just never seemed right for him given their very different lives.
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G
When SB wrote the character Callen, and he even said it to a woman in the treasury department that he doesn’t date women who are in law enforcement. Callen apparently was involved with one before and we never really knew why, except he really cared for her. Joelle being a teacher he thought was great. But they changed her character and brought in Anna. He did get involved with her, knowing she was involved in law enforcement in Russia. That was a big change for his character AND it was done AFTER SB left. I don’t think SB would have changed Callen, he was SB’s creation. RSG did it. And that’s when the show changed too. I always thought Callen, given the buildup of his character (a legend, a chameleon, a ghost, the best, a lone wolf) would have been the Greyman. But never involved with a woman in law enforcement.
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Mostly agree. I do think Callen will have gotten with someone because He wants to live and not just survive. He's seen the life of the Greyman and deep down he realizes that isn't who he is. Definitely agree when SB left Callen's character changed.
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B
Shane also said that Anna was "the love of Callen's life," so he thought Anna was perfect for Callen, and a lot of viewers agree with him. I know I do.
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O
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SHOW!! This Will Be a BEAUTIFUL Ending But Whyyyyyy End This SHOW? It Doesn't Make Any Sense To Me! We Have Sooo Many Other Shows Thay Go On For Longer Seasons and This One Ends At Season 14!! I'm So Disappointed and Soo Upset!! And It's Very True What @TUF Said About NOT Having The Most Important Person In Callens Life There. She is The Person Who Basically Brought Him Up and ALWAYS Looked After Him!! She Is Like A Mother To Him! That Is Awful and Again The SHOW Ending Is ABSOLUTELY HEART WRENCHING!! Look At Alll These Fans and Yet You Can't Let The SHOW Continue!! It's a Shame!!
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T
^^^^
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O
I think it's stupid to end the series. If the actors want out then slowly bring in some others.
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T
Wow. You promise such a happy finale, and yet you can't even have the most important person in Callen's life be there at his wedding.
Thanks for destroying this wonderful show the last few years, RSG. Hope you're real proud of yourself for turning this show into a disrespectful joke that no one will love past Season 8!
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And the only way to make this stupid looking finale look appealing to me and every other Hetty fan out there who I'm sure are very hurt by this new info, will be if she plans a surprise reception for them! Otherwise, why we should watch a finale in which the mother/son relationship that we've all rooted for to reconcile might be torn apart for good?
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R
Did you ever think that it might be that Linda Hunt doesn't want to come back for any number of reasons? Maybe she has an undisclosed health issue preventing her from coming to set. She could have gotten COVID or pneumonia, or any number of things, since she last appeared onscreen in the bullpen that are keeping her from being onscreen with the others.
Truthfully if we couldn't have Hetty it would be great to have Gibbs there for Callen's wedding.
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She never said any of that, so therefore, none of that is true. The showrunner could clearly see how much fans want Hetty back, so why is he doing this to us? Why didn't he let Hetty be at Callen's wedding? Is she going to plan the reception afterwards?
You are not that smart, whoever you are. She was the most important part of this show, and these producers have majorly screwed up with this!
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C
Not to mention they promised us that she would return DURING Season 14. Now, instead of having her back we might not even get her in the Series Finale? Not having Hetty is what killed the show. Pure and Simple.
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T
The only excuse I can think of that doesn't sound insulting is that she's planning a big surprise reception afterwards. Either way, she has to show up, the best ending possible depends on it!
And yes! Not having her around is really what doomed this show!
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C
Sorry to see it go. It was the best.
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Until Season 10. Then OG NCIS became the best because it had much better writing.
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C
Daniela said the show was'nt cancelled just resting
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