Shocking Twist in NCIS: Creator Takes Drastic Action After Actor Complains of Long Hours!
The decision to kill off Sasha Alexander’s character, Caitlin Todd, on ‘NCIS’ was influenced by the actor’s expressed dissatisfaction with the long and grueling hours on set. Alexander, who appeared in the first two seasons of the series, was shot in the head in the season 2 finale by the character Ari Haswari, a nemesis of Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Peter Golden, the former head of CBS casting, revealed that a deal was initially made with Sasha for only two seasons, as she wanted to explore other opportunities, leaving a significant void in the show’s cast. Executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson shed light on the situation, explaining that Alexander felt overworked and approached co-creator Don Bellisario to express her desire for a lighter workload.
In response to Alexander’s request, Bellisario proposed the idea of killing off her character to reduce her workload. This decision came as a shock to many, with Johnson recounting how Bellisario informed Alexander about the change: “‘Good news — your workload is going to be lighter. But you’re going to die.'” The dramatic death scene, a shot through the head, became one of the show’s most surprising and memorable moments.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Bellisario confirmed that Alexander found the demanding hours challenging and physically taxing. The show’s executive producer, Mark Horowitz, revealed that Caitlin Todd’s death was the first secret they kept from the audience, even shooting an alternate ending to maintain the element of surprise.
Sasha Alexander, reflecting on her experience in Hollywood, shared her initial hopes for a more collaborative and enjoyable atmosphere in the industry, similar to her drama experiences in 7th grade. However, she acknowledged the presence of big egos and the demanding nature of the job. Despite the challenges, Alexander expressed gratitude for being able to choose her projects in a business where many friends had chosen to leave.
