Claire Forlani Cast on NCIS: Los Angeles; Will She Replace Linda Hunt Next Season?
Veteran actress Claire Forlani has been cast on NCIS: Los Angeles in the role of operations manager for the Office of Special Projects, according to TV Line and others.
The big news here is that the role is currently occupied by Linda Hunt as diminutive taskmaster Hetty Lange, making for an intriguing and surprising plot development.
Is creator Shane Brennan planning a power struggle for the office's top spot?
Forlani joins the CBS procedural in the recurring role - her character's name is Lauren Hunter - in the penultimate episode of the spring, Tuesday, May 10.
Is Hetty going to be replaced on NCIS: Los Angeles?
Claire Forlani's character, according to reports, is described as “attractive, authoritative, cool and calculating” and in possession of “a dangerous quality that suggests she is much more than your run-of-the mill operations manager.”
That just sounds foreboding, doesn't it?
Both Forlani’s character and Hunt’s Hetty will figure into the second season finale airing May 17, raising the question of who will run the team come September.
We've seen several shakeups at the top on NCIS over the years, so it wouldn't exactly be unprecedented for LA's producers replace pint-sized powerhouse Hetty.
But will they? Should they? And if so, how?
Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
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January 2nd, 2013 11:52 AM
If Hetty leaves the show, then I stop watching the show, I will read a book instead, Hetty is the show and if you take her out, poor move, very poor move.
September 26th, 2012 12:42 AM
If you write out Linda Hunt it would be a big mistake, you will loose alot of viewers. I won't watch your show any longer, plenty of other stuff to watch.
June 18th, 2012 3:17 AM
if you ask me they should ask the fans and no dont change the cast the show wont be the same
June 14th, 2012 12:01 PM
Removing Linda Hunt from NCIS LA would be a big mistake. The character Hetty is the only "adult" influence on the "gang" and eliminating her would only add another "pretty face." Hetty needs to stay to maintain the balance of character, experience and grit to the more impulsive, inexperienced and hormonal side of the show. Eliminating Hetty will not enhance the program; it will simply diminish quality which equals diminished ratings.
May 22nd, 2012 2:30 PM
LOVE THE ENTIRE CAST. CALLEN IS MY PRIME FAVORITE. ALSO LOVE A LOT MIKE
RENKO AKA BRIAN AVERS. WAS HEARTBROKEN WHEN HE WAS KILLED OFF. FOR SHAME
MR. BRENNAN. HETTI IS THE VERY BEST. LOVE THE SHOW SO MUCH.
May 21st, 2012 5:52 PM
Please do not take Linda Hunt off of NCIS LA. She is the glue of the whole show. There is a lot of mystery about her and hopefully we will learn more about "Hettie" with each season. She keeps the show interesting. Please keep her on the show!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2012 12:01 PM
The Season Finale basically answered that question of Lauren Hunter. But what to do with Hetty?
March 13th, 2012 9:35 PM
Linda Hunt is not a midget. She has Noonan Syndrome. Look it up.
Rank: New User
March 6th, 2012 10:24 PM
Lose these people that want hetty they got no clue, she makes no sense, she annoys most people, I guess most normal people don't post here so here's one LOSE HETTY keep Forliani I guarantee normal America may start watching more
Rank: New User
March 6th, 2012 10:19 PM
I and people at my office think show stinks because of Linda hunt - an annoying unrealistic character, Claire forliani would be much better choice, I think most of America disagrees with the rest of thread hetty is worse part of show