Pauley Perrette’s shocking departure from NCIS left fans stunned, especially after she spent 15 years playing the beloved forensic scientist Abby Sciuto. While official statements painted it as a mutual and peaceful decision, behind-the-scenes tensions tell a different story. Insiders revealed that Pauley had growing issues with the show’s lead actor, Mark Harmon, particularly after a 2016 incident involving Harmon’s dog biting a crew member. When Pauley reportedly raised safety concerns, tensions escalated rapidly.

According to multiple sources, after the dog incident, Perrette and Harmon stopped appearing in scenes together. The production team allegedly had to film their scenes separately and piece them together during editing. This led to major scheduling issues and rising friction on set. While CBS claimed they respected both actors’ privacy, the atmosphere reportedly became toxic, making it hard for the show to function smoothly.

Perrette later hinted on social media that she had endured “multiple physical assaults” and felt unsafe, though she never named anyone directly. These alarming claims added fuel to the fire and led fans to question if her exit was truly voluntary. Behind closed doors, CBS reportedly made the decision to let her go to protect the show’s reputation and preserve the work environment.

Though she never returned to NCIS, Pauley Perrette’s departure remains one of the show’s most controversial moments. Fans still debate the truth, but it’s clear her exit wasn’t as simple as it seemed on paper.