One of the longest-running police procedurals, NCIS, is back with season 22, engaging fans with new complex cases and personal stories centered on key figures. Since its debut, NCIS has bid farewell to several memorable characters, one of whom is undeniably Agent Erica Jane Barrett, popularly known as E.J. Barrett in the series.
Actress Sarah Jane Morris, known for her role in ABC's Brothers & Sisters, joined NCIS for a limited run. Agent Barrett first appeared in NCIS season 8, in which fans were introduced to her as one of the Special Agents and ex-girlfriend of Agent Anthony DiNozzo Junior.
After graduation, Barrett joined NCIS and was lucky enough to secure the position of Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service office in Rota, Spain. This was due to Anthony DiNozzo Jr. declining the promotion to this role, as he preferred staying with the Major Case Response Team under Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Soon after she accepted the role, Agent Barrett moved to Spain and met other Special Agents Gayne Levin and Simon Cade. Apart from her professional life, the police procedural featured Barrett's complex relationship with DiNozzo as they navigated professional collaboration and personal tensions.
However, it was just a recurring theme in the actress' portrayal, and their story didn't take center stage for a complete season. Agent Barrett was a part of the Port-to-Port Killer case in the crime drama, but eventually, her story faded out. Read more and explore how Barett's story ended.
How did Agent Barrett's storyline end in the NCIS TV series?
One of the reasons why fans often talk about Sarah Jane Morris' E.J. Barrett is because she was among the strongest females in NCIS. Not only did she contribute to solving a big case in the police procedural, but her close yet complex relationship with Tony kept fans curious about her future beyond season 8.
However, before fans could see more of Barrett's personal and professional lives, the character was gradually written off.
Agent Barrett began with the NCIS office in Spain and was given her own team. She was also a part of the Port-to-Port Killer case that dedicated fans might remember in detail. It was a major case in season 8, focusing on a serial killer who targeted military personnel and disposed of the bodies in port cities. His violent nature became a matter of concern as he would take out the eyes of his victims and then throw the bodies in military ports.
The agents then began a hunt for the infamous Port-to-Port Killer, and Agent Barrett, along with her teammates Simon Cade and Gayne Levin, were asked to assist in the case.
As the season came to an end and the agents were in grave danger, they finally discovered the identity of the serial killer. It turned out that a former Navy SEAL named Lt. Jonas Cobb was the killer, who eliminated many due to personal vendetta.
The case resulted in many losing their lives at the hands of Cobb, including Agent E.J. Barrett's team member Gayne Levin. His death left a lasting impact on both Agent Barrett and Simon Cade, as the three shared a great bond at work.
Following the Port-to-Port Killer case, the agents returned to their work with new challenges, and E.J. Barrett's story started fading out. She didn't appear much in the season and was presumed dead until she appeared for the last time in NCIS season 9 after surviving a gunshot.
Barrett decided to take a long vacation at her family home, leaving fans and viewers curious about her future in the series. Since then, Barrett hasn't returned to the series.
Is there a specific reason behind Sarah Jane Morris' exit from NCIS?
Unlike the typical endings in NCIS, Sarah Jane Morris' exit as Agent Erica Jane Barrett was subtle and non-violent. The actress left on a positive note, and there's no specific reason shared by her or the showrunner about her departure.
While discussing her role in an interview with TV Line in 2011, Morris explained that Tony wasn't the main part of Barrett's story. She said:
"I don’t think that Tony was part of her plan by any means. But she starts realizing there are things she’s missing out on in life, being the ambitious agent she is."
While Erica Jane Barrett was a recurring character in the series, her presence and relationship with Tony was praised by fans. As Barrett left for home, NCIS didn't expand on her story, leading many to speculate about her possible future appearances.
The police procedural has completed 21 seasons, with season 22 currently airing on CBS. NCIS is also available to stream on Paramount+.
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