There are a lot of plans for NCIS: Los Angeles season 12, but some of them won't happen due to the current global health crisis. Originally, Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt) will be factored more in the story, yet that won't likely be followed considering the situation.
Hunt was, reportedly, set to make a regular appearance in the upcoming NCIS: Los Angeles season 12. However, that plan was made before the onset of the pandemic. A lot of things have changed now, making it harder for the actress to be part of the series on a regular basis.
While some scenes in the new installment were shot outside Hunt's house, there are still a lot of questions beyond that. Since there's a possibility that she would be gone for a while, someone needs to step up and take over her role -- and that someone could be Nell Jones (Renee Felice Smith).
It appears as though Nell could end up replacing Hetty, at least for the time being. The Operation Manager gives her a "cryptic assignment," which could lead to her having a permanent duty down the road. In an interview with TVLine, executive producer R. Scott Gemmill has something to say about this.
He explained that Hetty is "incommunicado" within the next few episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles season 12. Hence, Nell will do something for her by staying there. It can be recalled that Smith's character planned to leave the department, but the Operation Manager told her to take vacations, instead.
Now that Nell is staying, Gemmill hinted that the situation may prompt the team by thinking that Hetty's time away actually means she's letting Nell realize that she can do the job without any pressure. The executive producer teased that this would be a huge part of Nell's storyline in the early run.
Nell is in sort of denial and not convinced she's capable of replacing Hetty as the new boss. The question now is whether or not she's willing to take over the position. Also, this is an indication that Smith is staying in the series after speculations she's departing at some point in the procedural drama.
Meanwhile, Arkady Kolcheck (Vyto Ruginis) is returning to the premiere of NCIS: Los Angeles season 12. He is one of the most notable characters within the series -- he's always up to something. It looks like there a certain reason as to why he comes back.
In the recently-released sneak peek, Arkady is having some discussion with Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) and Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) regarding the mission involving a Russian bomber. Ruginis's character could likely play a role in tracking the bomber down.
NCIS: Los Angeles season 12 premieres this coming Sunday, Nov. 8, on CBS.
