LL Cool J portrayed the character in the show’s premiere episode, but he was noticeably absent from the second which was titled “Of Value.”
Is LL Cool J Leaving ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’? Sam Hanna Update
NCIS: Los Angeles’ latest episode saw the team investigate the kidnapping of an architect duo and try to bring them home before it is too late.
LL Cool J’s Special Agent Hanna was not around for the case, though, as he was instead said to be out, so it was up to the rest of the team to work on it.
The actor was still credited as a member of the regular cast, even if he did not feature in the episode itself. This shows his absence does not mean that he is leaving the show, just that he was not part of the latest episode.
It is understood by Newsweek that it is the norm for series regular cast members, like LL Cool J, to not appear in an episode or two each season, and it is not a sign of their departure from the show.
Alongside NCIS: Los Angeles, LL Cool J has a rather busy schedule, with the rapper also hosting shows like Come Dance With Me and filming Superfan, which he stars in alongside Gloria Estefan, Shania Twain and Pitbull, and he was said to be filming in April 2022, per The Wrap.
At the time it was reported by Digital Spy that LL Cool J would continue to film NCIS: Los Angeles while also filming for Superfan.
Although an official reason has not been given for the actor’s absence from NCIS: Los Angeles, it seems likely that the actor simply took a break from filming the CBS show to work on his other project, and he is expected to return in future episodes.
It is understood by Newsweek that LL Cool J will appear in the new season’s third episode, titled “The Body Stitchers,” which will see the NCIS team work with the FBI to track down a group of murderers named the Body Stitchers who have evaded them in the past.
Newsweek has contacted CBS representatives for further comment.
Despite not appearing in Episode 2 of Season 14, LL Cool J promoted its release on social media as he shared a trailer for the episode with fans on his Instagram.
Referring to the episode as “Round 2,” he urged viewers to tune in to watch the episode on Sunday evening.
NCIS: Los Angeles Season 14 airs Sundays on CBS at 10:30 p.m. ET / PT.
Update 10/18/2022 03:13 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include information on LL Cool J’s return to NCIS: Los Angeles.
