Abby’s Triumphant NCIS Return: The Feud Is Over, And Her Path Is Finally Clear!
NCIS now has a clear opportunity to bring back Abby Sciuto, six years after Pauley Perrette’s departure following a well-known feud with Mark Harmon. Over its two-decade run, NCIS has seen many characters come and go, establishing a pattern of rotating its ensemble cast. While it’s always tough to say goodbye to fan-favorite characters, the show has consistently moved forward, with the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) continuing their work regardless of cast changes. Given the numerous departures over the years, NCIS has had to get creative with how it writes off its characters.
Behind the scenes, the reasons for actors leaving the show vary. Many chose to depart to explore other career opportunities or simply retire, as was the case with Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Jessica Knight’s possible exit from NCIS still lacks an official explanation—assuming it happens at all. However, Pauley Perrette’s departure stands out as the most complex, making Abby’s potential return a tricky proposition.
Mark Harmon & Pauley Perrette’s Feud Explained
NCIS is known for its procedural format, but its true strength lies in the chemistry among the ensemble cast. Over the years, the MCRT roster has changed multiple times, yet one of the most beloved relationships was between Gibbs and Abby. Unfortunately, things behind the scenes were reportedly less harmonious, leading to Perrette’s departure. Perrette has said that Harmon terrified her after an incident involving his dog. In 2024, CBS executives revealed that the issue had long been resolved and even expressed openness to bringing Perrette back.
Despite this, Perrette has maintained her stance on not returning to NCIS, stating in 2019 that she would never come back because she didn’t want to work with Harmon. She made this statement while she was working on her short-lived show, Broke. However, there’s still hope for her return, especially after the Ducky tribute episode in NCIS season 21 referenced Abby.
How Abby Could Return via Tony & Ziva’s Spinoff
While Perrette’s exit from NCIS was surrounded by controversy, the show found a way to write Abby out of the MCRT. Abby decided to leave NCIS after a traumatic experience where she was targeted by a hitman. Although MI6 Agent Clayton Reeves protected her, it ultimately cost him his life. Driven by the trauma and a desire to honor Reeves’ legacy, Abby moved to the United Kingdom to set up a charity in his name.
Given this storyline, Abby could easily be integrated into the upcoming spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva. After Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo returned in NCIS season 21, he and Cote de Pablo are set to reunite for a spinoff that will follow the pair on the run across Europe with their pre-teen daughter, Tali. While details about the plot are still under wraps, it’s clear that Tony and Ziva could use the help of a trusted ally—Abby.
Since trust will be crucial in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, reaching out to Abby, someone they know will never betray them, makes perfect sense. Despite her issues with Harmon, Perrette reportedly maintains a good relationship with her former NCIS co-stars, making Abby’s return to the TV universe through this spinoff a real possibility.
Could Abby Return to NCIS’ MCRT?
While Abby helping Tony and Ziva in Europe would be exciting, it also opens the door for her eventual return to Washington, D.C. Fortunately, Gibbs is no longer an active MCRT agent, meaning that if Perrette decides to come back, she wouldn’t have to work with Harmon—a crucial factor given her past statements. Abby still has ties to the team, with Tim McGee and Jimmy Palmer remaining key members. In fact, Perrette’s recent interaction with Brian Dietzen could be a sign that Abby’s return to the flagship NCIS series is more likely than ever.
