Pauley Perrette’s character, Abby Sciuto, departed from NCIS at the conclusion of Season 15 in May 2018 and has not returned for the subsequent seasons. Abby, a forensic scientist at NCIS headquarters known for her distinctive style and can-do attitude, bid farewell to the show after sustaining severe injuries from a hitman’s attack in Episode 22 of Season 15, titled “Two Steps Back.”
The decision for Perrette’s departure was announced at the beginning of Season 15, with reports suggesting conflicts between Perrette and Mark Harmon, who portrayed Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The tensions began in 2016 when Harmon’s dog bit a crew member, leading to stitches. Perrette expressed her dismay that the dog was allowed back on set, and the discord escalated, prompting her permanent exit from the show.
Abby’s final on-screen appearance showcased her recovery from the attack, her pursuit of justice against the hitman’s employer, and her decision to resign from NCIS. The character’s storyline concluded with Abby founding a charity in memory of Clayton Reeves, an MI6 agent who sacrificed his life to protect her. While Abby did not appear in the final two episodes of Season 15, Perrette’s name continued to appear in the credits.
Despite fan speculation and inquiries, Pauley Perrette has stated on social media that she has no intentions of returning to NCIS. In June 2019, she addressed the issue on Twitter, expressing fear of Mark Harmon and stating definitively that she would not be coming back to the show.