What Are the Dark Secrets the Cast of NCIS Tried to Hide?

Here’s some lesser-known information about the cast of NCIS:

1. Sasha Alexander’s Departure: At the end of NCIS’s second season, actress Sasha Alexander, who portrayed Special Agent Kate Todd, made the surprising decision to leave the show. She cited the grueling production schedule and long hours as the reasons behind her departure. Alexander believed that her physical and emotional well-being was being compromised by the demanding workload, and she had no regrets about leaving the series.
2. Cote de Pablo’s Sudden Exit: Cote de Pablo, who played Special Agent Ziva David for eight seasons, left the show in 2013, just days before the 11th season’s filming began. Her abrupt departure shocked both fans and co-stars. It was met with frustration and confusion from some of her colleagues. David McCallum and Pauley Perrette expressed their surprise and disappointment over her sudden exit, but they maintained that there was no drama surrounding her departure.
3. Power Struggle with Mark Harmon: The show’s lead, Mark Harmon, engaged in a power struggle with the series creator and producer, Donald Bellisario. The conflict arose due to Harmon’s dissatisfaction with Bellisario’s management style, which he perceived as chaotic and overly controlling. This feud continued for months and ultimately led to Bellisario’s departure from the show. He retained his executive producer title but lost control over the series.
4. Custody Battle: In the 1980s, Mark Harmon sought permanent custody of his nephew, Sam, due to concerns about his sister Kristin Nelson’s alleged addiction to prescription drugs. The legal battle ended with Sam returning to his mother, but it did not resolve the family tensions.
5. Pauley Perrette’s Troubled Marriage: Actress Pauley Perrette endured an emotionally and physically abusive first marriage to Canadian DJ Francis “Coyote” Shivers. She collaborated with Shivers’ first ex-wife and a former girlfriend to address the harassment they had experienced, including stalking, threats, hacking, and assault. Perrette ultimately obtained a restraining order against Shivers, who later violated it by attempting to contact her online and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
6. Michael Weatherly’s DUI: Michael Weatherly, known for his role as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, was arrested and charged with DUI after being stopped by Los Angeles police for speeding in November 2015. He pleaded no contest to the charge and received three years of probation and mandatory participation in an alcohol program. Shortly after the sentencing, Weatherly decided to leave NCIS and expressed his gratitude to the cast and crew, describing his time on the show as a “fantastic ride.”

These revelations shed light on the complex personal experiences and challenges faced by the cast members of NCIS, providing a glimpse beyond their on-screen personas.