Pauley Perrette, who played Abby Sciuto on NCIS for 15 seasons, left the show in 2018. Her departure was surrounded by speculation, but she later revealed that it was due to behind-the-scenes conflicts. Reports surfaced that Perrette had tensions with series star Mark Harmon, particularly after an incident involving Harmon’s dog biting a crew member on set. This reportedly led to a strained work environment, with Perrette and Harmon allegedly filming scenes separately in her final season.
In a series of tweets after her exit, Perrette hinted at “multiple physical assaults” on set, though she never provided specific details. CBS later released a statement saying they were committed to a safe work environment and addressed her concerns privately. While the exact circumstances remain unclear, it was evident that her departure was not entirely amicable.
Abby’s exit was written as a heartfelt goodbye, with the character leaving NCIS after the murder of MI6 agent Clayton Reeves. Determined to honor Reeves’ sacrifice, she chose to move to England and continue his charitable work. The emotional farewell gave fans closure, but many still miss her presence on the show.
Since leaving NCIS, Perrette has distanced herself from the franchise, stating she has no plans to return. She later starred in the CBS sitcom Broke but ultimately retired from acting in 2020. Despite the circumstances of her departure, Abby remains one of the most beloved characters in NCIS history.