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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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
January 31st, 2012 10:07 PM
I can't believe what I'm seeing with these comments wanting Hetty to return.First let me say,there's not one federal or any other agency that would hire a midget to become a field agent.Can you imagine someone as small as Hetty to disarm an enemy agent or anyone else by (hand to hand) combat?It's ridiculous to think that someone her size could function effectively as a field agent.Oh,maybe she could abuse their shins or maybe she could hit them in their knees and bring them down.You people have been so brainwashed into being politicly correct you've stopped being logical.OK,lets keep Hetty and maintain this political correctness and the series will be popular with all of these brainwashed sheeples but that won't change the stupidity of the casting of this series.I know I'm going to catch alot of flack from you sheeples but I had to expose this joke.
October 10th, 2011 5:56 PM
Linda Hunt is the most believable character on the show. If she is replaced the show surely die a slow death. Who knows, maybe the network has made enough money on this show. What’s next, replacing Mark Harmon or the zany Pauley Perrette on NCIS? Better think twice! I have gotten used to these characters in my living room. It’s sort of like “Two and a Half Men” (yawn) the writers have gotten boring! Just like the boring “Playboy Club” show. You’ve been good in the past, but what have you done for me lately. Don’t mess with success.
October 8th, 2011 3:32 PM
PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE DON'T REPLACE HETTY. SHE'S THE SHOW.LIKE KATHY ANN I'LL CHANGE TO DANCING WITH THE STARS ALSO.
October 5th, 2011 1:01 AM
Not to mention it isn't every show that can boast an Academy Award Winning Actress.. Linda Hunt. (The Year of Living Dangerously) Now, WHO can name the INFAMOUS lead actor in it?