NCIS: LOS ANGELES first look at the upcoming episodes have finally been released ahead of season 12’s premiere on November 8.
CBS’s popular procedural series may have been shut down earlier this year by the coronavirus, but fans finally have a brand new season of NCIS: Los Angeles to look forward to next month. The first batch of behind-the-scenes pictures have been revealed, teasing a surprising new role for Operations Manager Hetty Lange.
Operations Manager Hetty Lange (played by Linda Hunt) has been a mainstay on NCIS’ first spin-off series since the second season.
Lange usually takes a backseat to the action, acting as the team’s Q by advising on upcoming missions and providing agents they might need.
The long-standing voice of reason has unfortunately been absent from screens since CBS was forced to prematurely pull the plug on season 11 amid the outbreak of coronavirus.
Thankfully, Callen (Chris O’Donnell), Hanna (LL Cool J) and the rest of the team will be returning soon, as the cast and crew were able to continue filming in September.
Filming for the 24-episode season will continue as new episodes start broadcasting on November 8 for CBS.
As fans try to guess what lies ahead after the team’s messy confrontation with new series villain Argento (Juan Riedinger), some new snaps from behind-the-scenes have teased Hetty Lange will be thrown into the midst of the action.
Although the 11th season concluded prematurely on April 26, Hetty hasn’t been seen since the March 29-episode Fortune Favors the Brave.
It seems the new instalment is set to make up for her limited role in the 2019-20 run, with the new snaps teasing a pivotal role in NCIS: LA’s upcoming action scenes.
Released exclusively from ET Online, the picture showcased NCIS star Linda Hunt being directed from a safe distance in accordance with coronavirus safety protocols.
Lange has ditched her iconic sharp suits in this scene, and is shown wearing army camouflage and a bulletproof vest.
ET Online confirmed the snap sees Hetty Lange at the start of season 12, preparing for close quarters combat in an operating base near an area of conflict.
The new season is confirmed to premiere with an episode entitled The Bear on November 8.
After the loose ends of the shortened season 11, the upcoming instalment is hoped to be an exhilarating season opener.
In episode one, Callen and Hanna are tasked with tracking down a missing Russian bomber, while Hetty gives Nell (Renee Felice Smith) a ‘cryptic assignment’.
The first handful of episodes in season 12 are expected to be holdovers from the shortened season, though it is not known in which order they will air.
Current showrunner R. Scott Gemmill confirmed Argento will make his return in the next instalment after promising his speedy escape from his prison sentence.
As the situation with the team’s latest adversary unravels, Operations Manager Hetty Lange may decide to get a rare slice of the action at the beginning of the next season.
NCIS: LA’s upcoming premiere will also be joined by the show’s New Orleans-based spin-off premiering its seventh season on the same evening.
Meanwhile, Leroy Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and the rest of the mainline series’ squad will be returning slightly later, on November 17.
Related News – Be sure to get some more news when it comes to NCIS.