What Happened to Hetty After ‘NCIS: LA’? Eric Christian Olsen Says That ‘Needs Closure’
What To Know
- Eric Christian Olsen discussed the unresolved fate of Hetty, played by Linda Hunt, in the latest episode of the NCIS: Partners & Probies podcast.
- NCIS: LA ended with a major question about Hetty, and the franchise has yet to resolve it.
It’s one of the biggest (and longest) mysteries in the NCIS universe: What happened to Hetty? Linda Hunt‘s character was at the center of the NCIS: Los Angeles series finale ending (though she didn’t appear), and three years later, we still don’t know what happened next. If you’re eager for some closure, you’re not the only one.
Eric Christian Olsen, who starred as Marty Deeks on NCIS: LA, was the latest guest of the NCIS: Partners & Probies podcast, hosted by Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover, and he addressed just that.
Olsen first recalled “watching her struggle through dialogue that was overwritten” in one of the episodes he penned (Season 11’s “Mother”).
“She had a lot of dialogue in that episode, and it was a really tough episode where she’s like holding what was supposed to be a mirror to Callen’s [Chris O’Donnell] journey. She had created this person who — we talked about the consequences of violence especially when violence isn’t a choice that you’re making but it’s brought to you and then you’re given that skill set and this person imploded after she took away love from the equation. So, love is gone and now it’s just violence and this person comes back to hunt her down and then she kills him and he’s lying in her arms and she’s giving him the same poem that she gave him when he was a kid that she pulled him out of these caves in Italy,” he said.
After that, Olsen revealed, she told him, “I want you to write an episode for me,” he continued. “She pitched Russia. She’s like, ‘Maybe I’m in an apartment in Russia.’ And I was like, ‘OK, let me let me think on that.’ And ultimately didn’t get a chance to tell that story.”
In the series finale, a letter from Hetty brought Callen and Sam (LL COOL J) to Morocco, where they joined Nell (Renée Felice Smith), Nate (Peter Cambor), and Sabatino (Erik Palladino) on a mission to rescue Hetty. It was not seen, nor was it ever addressed fully, even when LL COOL J reprised his role on NCIS and the Hawai’i spinoff. (Maybe it’ll come up on his new show, NCIS: New York?)
“She’s still out there, and as an audience member, but also as a person who deeply loves her, there should be an end to that story,” Olsen said on NCIS: Partners & Probies. “I think we need resolution. I think the idea that it’s floating for eternity needs something to be — We need closure. I have a whole pitch for what I would do with that and what she did and why she chose to do what she did. Of course, I cry all the time, but when she asked me that question, I definitely got tears in my eyes and I was like, ‘Whatever you want.'”
Dietzen then offered up NCIS as a “platform to come tell that story” and that he’d write it with Olsen.
“That’s a good idea,” Olsen said, reiterating, “Yeah, Hetty needs closure.”
What do you think happened to Hetty? Do you want to see it addressed on one of the NCIS shows? Let us know in the comments section below.
Conversation23 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Register or sign in to join the conversation.
-
E
Hetty does need closure. Make it positive as much as possible "Hetty made closure her way" Ms. Hunt is a wonderful actress and appreciate her wisdom on NCIS Los Angeles.
-
D
Hetty's story never finished. I still think about it as do so many fans of NCIS's franchise. She was such an important figure that seemed to have a story line in every one of the franchise's shows. I believe it is a great shame that she seemed to be left in the dust and forgotten. Please give her a final story!
-
J
Yes, we need closure for Hetty. I can't wait foe NCIS NY.
-
G
I would really love some type of closure if it’s done correctly and not maudlin and depressing. After all this time I think the fans need and deserve it. It would be wonderful if ms. Hunt was able to pull off a visit
-
M
I honestly don't think this show should've been canceled. And yes, Hetty's arc needs closure, but you know who else needs closure? Kensi&Deeks---did they have a boy or girl?
-
O
Hetty definitely needs closure.
-
T
Hopefully NCIS New York or the main show pull it off.
-
M
I'm excited for the new show. I loved LL COOL J in LA. He and Chris had such a rapport. Problem is, there are now four shows and only three time slots. I have watched every episode of every show. From the original to New Orleans, LA, and all the new ones.
-
-
D
Yes I do want closure always wonder what happened to Hetty
-
I
Yes, I’d like to see what happened to Heddy. Maybe she had an adventure but now is helping children be healed from trauma and loving it!!
-
P
There should be explanation of her last mission was to retire from the agency. She took on a new identity and life. No contact ever, maybe a lost letter with the real reason. Hmmmm..
-
R
Yes Hetty’s story needs to be told. She was a fabulous actress in this series. A complicated person. Please let us in on who she really was and what happened.
-
K
Absolutely need closure on Hettys story.
-
T
Hetty needs closure, but not by death.
-
M
Why not have Hetty end the way her portrayer, Linda Hunt, did? Enjoying a contented, peaceful and secluded retirement with the person she loves.
-
T
Hetty deserves closure. I love her and would be sad to see her go but need to know what happened to her. She made the whole show!
-
B
Everyone in my family watched NCIS and we all wanted to know what happened to her. The show could explain that she is alive and living her final days in Russia with her memories, and no violence.
-
C
Yes. I want to know where Hetty is and what she is doing. I love Hetty/Linda Hunt. Her wisdom and adventures where awesome. Please bring her back in a positive way that reflects who Hetty is.
-
V
She would be a good replacement for vance
-
C
Definitely Hetty needs closure. With the new NCIS New York coming out with LL Cool J it would be the perfect show to address her whereabouts!
-
J
I don't know what the health of the actress is. I know she is older but I would like to see Hetty appear on NCIS or New York so we know what happened. I am still upset that Los Angeles was cancelled. Deeks and Kensi's story was left hanging. She was pregnant. We don't know what the baby was: boy or girl.
-
S
She is looking for Kevin Kline lol
-
J
I'm not interested in Hetty, or where she was. But I am curious about MacGyver, and why Matty wasn't 'live' in the final season. If her character appeared, she was on video. Not sure how it was explained on the show-- or even IF it was explained on the show, but there had to be a reason why the actor wasn't there in real life.
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services