NCIS has become one of the longest-running TV dramas of the modern day, but its stars did not all get their start on procedurals. When NCIS debuted on CBS in 2003, it was introduced through a backdoor pilot in the eighth season of JAG. While JAG tackled the legal cases associated with the military, NCIS targets the investigative process before a suspect ends up in court.
Two of the characters who were part of the original NCIS cast lineup had television careers long before they snagged their parts in the show. One of the other television series that they both made an appearance in was a popular teen drama on the WB. At the time, the network was gradually becoming known as the home of soapy teen series before the WB transitioned to become the CW, and a lot of the TV stars of today made their way through the show.
Sasha Alexander & Pauley Perrette Were Part Of NCIS’ Original 2003 Ensemble
Both Actors Have Since Left NCIS
Sasha Alexander and Pauley Perrette both made their NCIS debuts as main characters in the first season of the show. While Alexander played an NCIS field agent for two seasons of the show, Perrette starred as a forensic scientist for 15 seasons.
Sasha Alexander was introduced as Caitlin ‘Kate’ Todd, partner to Anthony ‘Tony’ DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and a member of Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) team in the premiere episode “Yankee White.” Kate was a serious agent who came to NCIS after previously working for the Secret Service. While she was very good at her job, she was also less experienced than the other members of the initial team. She often bickered with Tony about the procedures they were following, and Kate’s departure from the series would end up hitting Tony especially hard in season 3.
Pauley Perrette was actually introduced before Alexander was because she appeared in the backdoor pilot “Ice Queen” that aired as part of JAG. While there were a few characters who did not become part of the main show once NCIS was picked up to series, Perrette’s Abby remained. While Abby enjoyed heavy metal music, had a goth sense of style, and retained some dark interests, she was known for her bubbly personality and her childlike wonder in the series.
Kate and Abby were portrayed as very good friends in the series, often referencing time spent together outside of the NCIS offices during the two seasons both characters were on the show. Before Alexander and Perette came to portray the characters, however, they also appeared on the same teen drama.
Before NCIS, Both Alexander & Perrette Appeared In Dawson’s Creek (Although They Never Shared The Screen)
They Both Played Characters Important To Dawson’s Growth
Dawson’s Creek provided a launching pad for a lot of young actors in the early 2000s, including series stars Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams. Though Sasha Alexander and Pauley Perrette both had roles in other projects before landing roles in Dawson’s Creek, they are some of the long list of actors who got a boost thanks to the show.
Sasha Alexander began guest-starring in Dawson’s Creek in season 3. She appeared as one of the older siblings of Joshua Jackson’s Pacey Witter, taking a break from college after a pregnancy scare and a bad breakup. She and James Van Der Beek’s Dawson grew close during her time recurring throughout the season, and she is one of his most mature love interests in the series. The role, which allowed Alexander to play one of the more grounded characters in the series, also allowed her to flex some of the sarcastic line deliveries she would later use in NCIS.
Other TV stars who also appeared in Dawson’s Creek across its six seasons include Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon A Time), Melissa McBride (The Walking Dead), and Hilarie Burton (One Tree Hill).
Pauley Perrette did not appear in Dawson’s Creek until season 5, so the two costars did not cross paths during their episodes. Perrette appeared in two episodes of the season as Dr. Rachel Weir, Dawson’s new therapist. Dr. Weir is a drastically different character than Abby, even in her short appearances. There is little warmth or wonder to the character as she is very clinical and methodical in her approach to counseling Dawson.
Dawson entered therapy after the sudden death of his father, and though his appearances in front of a therapist did not last long for the show, they did help demonstrate his growth as a character, just as his relationship with Gretchen did. Despite only appearing for short times, both actors were instrumental in Dawson’s growing up.
Can Alexander & Perrette Still Return To NCIS After Their Respective Exits?
Returns Seem Unlikely For Alexander And Perrette
Sasha Alexander’s Kate left NCIS following season 2 when Alexander requested to be written out of the show. Alexander has appeared since Kate’s death in hallucinations or alternate reality stories, but since her character was killed, any other appearances are out of the question. She has not made an appearance in the show since season 15, so it seems unlikely she would return at this point. That’s especially true since her biggest connections in the show were with Tony, Abby, and Gibbs, who have all since left the series.
Pauley Perrette’s Abby left NCIS at the end of season 15. Unlike Kate, Abby did not die in action on the show. She simply left her job and moved on when Perrette decided to leave the show after behind-the-scenes drama. While Perrette has had a handful of other projects since then, she has mostly worked behind the camera instead of in front of it. Perrette has since announced her retirement from acting completely, so NCIS fans will not get to see her return as Abby.
