Pauley Perrette’s exit from NCIS in 2018 left fans heartbroken, but what followed was even more shocking. Known for her quirky charm as forensic scientist Abby Sciuto, Pauley was a fan favorite for years. But after she left the show, it quickly became clear—something had changed.

Behind the scenes, Pauley had endured tensions that few knew about. She later hinted at being “terrified” on set and mentioned experiencing multiple “physical assaults,” though she never named names. The cheerful actress who once brought so much light to the screen seemed to retreat from the spotlight entirely, turning down acting roles and disappearing from red carpets.

In interviews, she admitted she was no longer interested in returning to Hollywood. Instead, she shifted her focus to activism and art, even declaring that she had officially retired from acting. “I’m free,” she once tweeted, but her tone carried a sense of pain that fans couldn’t ignore.

Pauley may have walked away from NCIS, but she didn’t just leave a show—she left behind a chapter filled with emotional weight. Her fans still love her, but many agree: after NCIS, she was never quite the same.