Products You May Like
When NCIS: New York was first developed, eyes were on other characters from the NCIS franchise joining Sam Hanna in New York. Of course, there was hope that Chris O’Donnell’s Callen would return in NCIS: New York, but many eyes were on a formidable force: Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt).
NCIS clarified Hetty’s status, making it clear that she was safe, after NCIS: Los Angeles left her stuck in Syria with a team set to get her out. Sam had then made it clear he could neither confirm nor deny if he was working on some secret project Hetty had going on. It’s clear that the two are still close, so there was hope that she could at least be mentioned.
However, NCIS: New York arguably doesn’t need the NCIS: LA character to return just yet. There’s an effective replacement, and one who has room to grow into her own as we see her take control of this unit. Robyn Wells (Jennifer Beals) is even following the rule of her franchise predecessors by not going onto the field, and it’s the best move the series can make.
Robyn’s NCIS: New York Role Makes Her Hetty’s Replacement
Absolutely nobody can ever replace Hetty Lange. She had an energy and a backstory that lured everyone in. However, NCIS: New York needed another leader, and Robyn’s role on the series makes her a wonderful addition to the franchise. She stands out as someone who could be a younger Hetty, especially when it comes to nurturing the various members of the team.
Robyn will stay at HQ where she has a lot of work to do, and she will run the show from where she does it best. It’s exactly the way Hetty managed situations on NCIS: Los Angeles, putting her trust in Callen, Sam, and the other members of the team to catch the bad guys and bring them down. It also made her a central point when things got tough, as Hetty could manage phone calls and warrants quickly, and Robyn is doing something similar.
Like Hetty, she has gained the respect of the team, and they turn to her in moments of need, asking her for advice. While Vance has offered career advice to many agents, Hetty offered more life advice, which Robyn has already been able to do.
When someone does try to give her attitude, Robyn doesn’t stand for it either, making it known that she may be smaller than most of them, but she is a force to be reckoned with. She channels Hetty’s presence without even meaning to, and it sets up a similar dynamic for Sam.
Why It’s Better For Robyn To Function Off The Field In NCIS: New York
There’s no need for Robyn to step out in the field. NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles have both proven that a good leader can work from inside the office. Vance and Hetty regularly ran the show from their desks — or sometimes from a dojo, or wherever Hetty’s work took her inside the building — and Robyn is doing the exact same thing.
By being in the office, she can keep a closer eye on Sean, becoming a guiding light for him. Over the course of four episodes so far, we’ve watched her steer him to do good with his hacking skills. When he’s come to her to complain, she was able to see through it and help him understand his new place in the world.
On top of that, putting her out in the field would completely change the dynamic of the team. Addy and Wyatt have an effective working partnership, trusting each other and knowing one another’s cues. Sam and Nick are quickly settling into a partnership, figuring out what makes each other tick. At this stage in the show, cementing the dynamics of the team is important, so that the show can establish why Nick wanted Sam to join and why viewers should root for them.
That doesn’t mean Robyn can’t join them in the future, but as the boss, she needs a good reason why, with potentially a personal arc to develop her further. For now, NCIS: New York is best to keep the offshoot’s leader safe in the office.
- Release Date
-
October 6, 2026
- Directors
-
Eagle Egilsson, Adam Davidson
- Writers
-
R. Scott Gemmill
Cast
-
-
Scott Caan
Nick Schaeffer