For fifteen seasons, Abby Sciuto, the quirky, gothic forensic scientist, was the vibrant heart of NCIS. Her quick wit, boundless energy, and unique bond with Gibbs made her an undeniable fan favorite. So, when Pauley Perrette, the actress who brought Abby to life, announced her departure at the end of Season 15, it sent shockwaves through the fandom. While Abby’s on-screen exit was poignant, the real story behind Perrette’s decision to leave was far more complex and, for a time, shrouded in mystery.
A Beloved Character’s Emotional Goodbye
Abby’s departure from NCIS was framed as a heroic act, sacrificing her career to honor the memory of her fallen colleague, Clayton Reeves. She shared heartfelt goodbyes with almost every member of the team, leaving fans in tears as she walked away from the familiar NCIS labs for a new life in London. The emotional weight of her exit underscored just how deeply viewers had connected with Abby over the years. Her absence left a palpable void that the show has worked to fill ever since.
Whispers of Trouble: The On-Set Incident
While the on-screen farewell was a clean break, behind the scenes, whispers of tension had been circulating for some time. The most widely reported and publicly acknowledged issue involved an incident in 2016 concerning a dog belonging to Mark Harmon, who plays Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The dog reportedly bit a crew member on set, requiring stitches.
Pauley Perrette, a passionate animal advocate, expressed concerns about the dog’s continued presence on set, citing safety issues. This incident reportedly led to increasing friction between Perrette and Harmon. According to various reports, the situation escalated to the point where, eventually, Perrette and Harmon were no longer filming scenes together, and scripts were adjusted to accommodate this.
Pauley Perrette’s Own Words: “Terrified of Harmon”
Following her emotional final episode, Pauley Perrette took to social media, specifically X (then Twitter), to share more cryptic, yet pointed, details about her reasons for leaving. In a series of tweets, she alluded to a “powerful publicity machine” attempting to silence her and spread “false stories.” Most strikingly, she stated in 2019, “NO I AM NOT COMING BACK! EVER! (Please stop asking?) I am terrified of Harmon and him attacking me. I have nightmares about it.” She also mentioned experiencing “multiple physical assaults” on set.
CBS, the network behind NCIS, released a statement at the time: “Pauley Perrette had a terrific run on NCIS and we are all going to miss her. Over a year ago, Pauley came to us with a workplace concern. We took the matter seriously and worked with her to find a resolution. We are committed to a safe work environment on all our shows.” Mark Harmon himself has largely remained silent on the specifics of the situation.
The End of an Era: Beyond the Dog Incident?
While the dog incident is widely cited as the catalyst, it’s possible that broader workplace dynamics or other undisclosed issues contributed to Perrette’s feeling that the environment was no longer safe or healthy for her. The high demands of a long-running procedural show can also take a toll on actors, and sometimes, a single incident can be the tipping point.
Regardless of the full, precise details, Abby Sciuto’s departure was undoubtedly a seismic event for NCIS. It highlighted the sometimes-strained realities of long-term television production and left fans grappling with the uncomfortable truth that even beloved on-screen relationships can mask complex, challenging dynamics behind the scenes. For Pauley Perrette, it marked a definitive end to her time in Hollywood, as she has since retired from acting, choosing a quieter life focused on her passion projects and advocacy.
