The NCIS franchise is expanding this fall with the debut of NCIS: Hawaii, but that doesn’t take away from the success of NCIS: LA. Season 13 of the highly successful spin-off will be premiering this October, so here's what we know so far about Season 13's release date, cast, story and trailer.
In a somewhat unexpected move for any NCIS show, NCIS: LA’s Season 12 finale ended on a high note without a cliffhanger. After a particularly odd case involving dolphins and more Russian involvement, the show concluded with a happy montage. Fatima has a heart-to-heart with Roundtree and admits why she’s been in a bad mood all day as she tries to cope with the anniversary of her best friend’s death. Sam goes to watch his son’s flight test, and Kensi and Deeks have a picnic on the beach.
The only disappointing part of the Season 12 finale was the news that Eric Beale and Nell Jones, the team’s technical operator and intelligence analyst, would not be returning for another season. In-universe, they are moving to Tokyo, Japan to expand Eric’s cybersecurity company. With the departure of these two characters, there is the return of another. The finale also saw the brief return of Hetty from her unknown mission. That was much to the disappointment of Kilbride, who had been trying to get Nell to officially take over the role of Operational Manager.
Because of Season 12's happy and no strings attached finale, there aren’t really any leads to go on for Season 13's plot. Other than providing an in-universe reason for Hetty’s absence, NCIS: LA Season 13 is a blank slate for the writers to use as they see fit.
Most of NCIS: LA's stars will return for Season 13. Chris O’Donnell returns as Grisha “G” Callen, the Lead Senior Field Agent of the NCIS Office of Special Projects. Callen will have his partner back because LL Cool J will also be returning as Sam Hanna. The show will also feature Daniela Ruah and Eric Christian Olsen, playing married couple Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks, respectively.
Amid some speculation, Linda Hunt will return as Henrietta “Hetty” Lange as the character returns from her mission and reclaims her position as Operational Manager. The OSP team will also retain its two newest special agents. Medalion Rahim will once again portray Fatima Namazi, and Caleb Castille will again be Devin Roundtree.
However, there are some changes coming to NCIS: LA’s cast in Season 13. Season 12's finale saw longtime OSP members Eric Beale and Nell Jones ride off into the sunset as they left for their new jobs in Japan. The two characters are exiting the show because Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith want to dedicate more time to other projects. To help fill the void, NCIS: LA is promoting Gerald McRaney, who plays retired Admiral Hollace Kilbride, to series regular.
NCIS: LA Season 13 does not have a trailer at this time. This article will be updated when one is released.
CBS recently announced that NCIS: LA Season 13 will premiere on October 10. That means that fans of the successful spinoff will have to wait nearly three weeks after NCIS’ Season 19's release on September 20 to see LA’s premiere. Unlike NCIS, which will be moving to Monday nights in Fall 2021, NCIS: LA will retain its tried and true Sunday 9:00 p.m. ET time slot.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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