Jun 18 2009 06:37 PM ET

Exclusive: 'NCIS' spin-off adds Oscar winner Linda Hunt

Linda-Hunt_l Oscar-winning actress Linda Hunt (The Year of Living Dangerously) has come aboard NCIS: Los Angeles as a series regular, sources confirm to me exclusively.

The diminutive, husky-voice Hunt will play an efficient and hard-nosed former film industry technician who now oversees the “backroom” support staff — the folks tasked with providing everything from micro surveillance cameras to cars for the team.

“Nothing fazes her,” says exec producer Shane Brennan. “But as tough as she might seem, she genuinely cares about Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and the team.”

Hunt’s hiring marks the latest tweak to the spin-off’s evolving ensemble. Louise Lombard, who appeared in the backdoor pilot as Macy, was dismissed last month. It’s still unclear whether she’ll be replaced.

Comments (45 total) Add your comment
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  • Adam

    She was on Without a Trace last season.
    What did she win an Oscar for?
    http://tvdonewright.com/2009/06/18/as-heard-on-tv-second-chance-by-shinedown/

  • KatieO

    Adam, she won best supporting actress for The Year of Living Dangerously, in which she played a male, half-Chinese little person. Seriously.

  • XK

    I wasn’t clear from the episodes of NCIS last year on what the division between the support staff and the rest of the team was, but it seems like she could very well be the replacement for Macy’s character, even if the role is somewhat different.

  • jake

    she was a hobbit, Bilbo’s mother in LOTR

  • XK

    I’d like another female agent though… that team, as presently constituted is pretty male heavy.

  • Kevin

    Linda Hunt: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for: The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)
    As much as I love NCIS and JAG, after seeing the NCIS spin-off episode, I am not looking forward to this show at all.

  • CRS

    I think they should bring in David Elliott reprising his Harm Rabb character from JAG. He and Gibbs also have a history.

  • Kati

    That’s fantastic news! I’m really looking forward to this show. I loved the backdoor pilot and the chemistry among the actors, especially between Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J.

  • C C

    Smart move. I saw the episode introducing the NCIS LA crew and I was not impressed. The characters were pretty milquetoast. Hunt adds some much needed color; she could be the Ducky of the spin-off.

  • Ryan

    I loved her on The Practice!

  • kate

    i heard a rumor that Poppy Montgomery was taking Louise Lombard’s spot… of course it’s just a rumor.

  • Jody

    That is grrreat…I will start watching it if she is going to be a REGULAR!! Way to go!

  • 3D

    I love Linda Hunt so YEAH! But I must have been under a rock…I really like Louise Lombard and her character on the spinoff…BOO!

  • Vetinari

    So far this series sounds devoid of any of the charm that made NCIS popular.

  • Nerwen Aldarion

    I’ll watch a couple episodes of NCIS: LA because it is by the people who made NCIS but I was not impressed by Legends and do not anticipate adding this show to my weekly line up. There was no “grab me” factor in the show, no characters that stand out or that I can relate to. I hope this show surprises me but what I really want is for the producers to work on shaping up season 7 of NCIS, I’m no the only fan who found season 6 a major disapointment

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