NCIS Confirms Return of Franchise Favorite — And It Could Finally Solve the Hetty Mystery

After years of crossover potential and spinoff shakeups, NCIS is finally bringing one of its most iconic characters back — and fans might just get the update they’ve waited for.

LL Cool J, who played Sam Hanna across NCIS: Los Angeles and more recently NCIS: Hawaii, is returning for a guest appearance in NCIS Season 22. The actor confirmed it on Instagram, and TVLine reported he’ll appear in Episode 18, airing Monday, April 21, 2025.

We don’t yet know the specifics of why Hanna is joining the team, but it’s likely tied to an urgent case — and fans of the broader franchise are hoping it also opens the door to resolve one key storyline left hanging.

The NCIS Franchise: Crossovers, Closures, and Unfinished Business

Once a multi-show juggernaut, the NCIS universe included Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawaii. In early 2023, the franchise staged a big crossover event just before NCIS: Los Angeles ended its 14-season run. Hanna’s brief move to NCIS: Hawaii brought new energy — but that series was abruptly canceled in 2024, leaving fans with more questions than answers.

While the flagship show has hinted at other team members in passing, Hanna’s upcoming appearance marks the first real return of a major spinoff character. And fans are wondering: will this guest spot lead to long-awaited closure for another beloved agent?

Where’s Hetty? A Chance to Finally Address Her Fate

One of the most missed characters in the NCIS universe is Hetty Lange. Linda Hunt was just brilliant as the sharp-tongued, deeply loyal operations manager who so many fans came to love on NCIS: Los Angeles. But due to the pandemic and Linda Hunt’s limited availability, Hetty was written out in later seasons.

“The finale hinted that Callen and Hanna were heading overseas to find Hetty — but fans never got to see what happened next.”

That loose thread has lingered ever since, with no true closure. Hanna’s return could finally give the franchise the perfect opening to address Hetty’s fate — whether she's still out there on a mission or something more bittersweet has happened.

What This Could Mean for Fans and the NCIS Universe

Even if Hunt herself doesn’t return, a proper explanation would honor the character and the fans who followed her journey. Hetty's influence on the team was undeniable, and her absence has been deeply felt.

Bringing Sam Hanna into the flagship show is more than fan service — it’s a smart way to reconnect the threads between the shows and tie up unresolved storylines. Whether it’s through dialogue, files discovered during a case, or a mission callback, now is the time for answers.

And with NCIS continuing strong into its 22nd season, revisiting the past could help shape its future — while giving viewers the closure they deserve.

Stay tuned for NCIS Season 22, Episode 18 on April 21 — where Sam Hanna’s return may be more than just a cameo. It might just bring Hetty’s story full circle.