Can an ‘NCIS’ Insider Explain Pauley Perrette’s Exit and Clash with Mark Harmon?

The departure of a beloved actor from a long-running TV show often sparks curiosity among viewers. Pauley Perrette’s exit from CBS’s “NCIS,” where she portrayed Abby Sciuto, raised questions when she decided not to return for the show’s 2017 season. Recent insights from “NCIS” insiders, as shared in an oral history by The Hollywood Reporter, shed light on the circumstances surrounding Perrette’s departure, including an incident involving a dog owned by her co-star Mark Harmon.

Pauley Perrette’s departure from “NCIS” occurred at the end of Season 15, and reports soon surfaced, suggesting on-set conflict between her and Mark Harmon, who played Gibbs. The conflict was linked to an incident where Harmon’s dog bit a crew member when brought to the set. Perrette, a passionate advocate for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), supported NCIS staff who expressed concerns about the dog’s presence. This disagreement resulted in Perrette and Harmon filming their scenes on separate days, and they didn’t share the screen during her final season.

Executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson shed light on the circumstances of Perrette’s departure, mentioning the dog incident. He explained that the dog involved belonged to Harmon and that the situation made Perrette, a strong supporter of the SPCA, feel that it wasn’t safe for the show.

In light of Johnson’s statements, it seems that the dog-related issue was a significant factor in Perrette’s decision to leave “NCIS.” By the end of that year, she felt it wasn’t the right fit for her anymore, prompting her to move on.

Abby Sciuto, the character portrayed by Pauley Perrette, was beloved by fans, and her absence was deeply felt. Although “NCIS” introduced a new character, Kasie Hines (played by Diona Reasonover), to take over as the NCIS forensic scientist, it couldn’t quite fill the void left by Abby. While Reasonover’s work was highly praised, many still missed Pauley Perrette on set.

Pauley Perrette ventured into the CBS sitcom “Broke,” which premiered in 2020 but had a short-lived run, lasting for just one season. In September 2022, she opened up about her experiences, including a stroke she had suffered a year earlier and other traumatic events. Despite these challenges, she expressed her resilience and gratitude for life.