NCIS: L.A. fans can rest easy: "Hetty" is going to be a big part of season 13.

After being absent for much of season 12, fan-favourite "Hetty" (Linda Hunt) was back in action for the season finale on Sunday. And with that return also came an update on her future with the series.

NCIS: L.A. - "Hetty" (Linda Hunt) update for season 13

After finale day, NCIS: L.A. showrunner R. Scott Gemmill spoke to TVLine about plans with 76-year-old actress Linda Hunt. He confirmed there will be a "good amount" of "Hetty" in season 13.

Hunt missed large chunks of season 12 as the show was "trying to keep her safe" during the pandemic, Gemmill said. But she has now received both vaccines, which permitted her return to set for this season's finale.

Gemmill said the behind-the-scenes reunion went like this: "[Hunt] was so happy to be back. She had been gone for so long and hadn't really interacted with anyone, so she was just so thrilled to be back on set.

"The minute I saw her, she's like, 'Let's talk about next season…,' so I think that as tough as last year was, for a lot of reasons, she, like the rest of us, is starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel and feels good about coming back to work," he said.

Linda Hunt will be in NCIS: Los Angeles cast next season

Gemmill also said that Hunt's few appearances on NCIS: L.A. this season were actually filmed at the star's home! But she was back on set for the finale, which saw the shocking exit of two of the show's main stars.

But "Hetty" was not one of the exits. Hunt, who has played "Hetty" since season 1, will be back for season 13 when it premieres this fall.

The main NCIS series will also enter season 19 while NCIS: Hawaii makes its debut in the franchise.

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