Why did Kate Todd leave NCIS after only two Seasons? Reasons behind exit, explained

Why did Kate Todd leave NCIS after only two Seasons? Reasons behind exit, explained
Why did Kate Todd leave NCIS ? | Image Source: TNT

NCIS, an American police procedural series was the first installment in the NCIS franchise. The show is available to watch on CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime. The series is currently on its 22nd season which dropped on October 14, 2024.

Over the last 22 seasons, many characters and cast members have departed from the series. Special Agent Kate Todd was the first character to leave the series. Sasha Alexander who played Kate Todd decided to leave the series due to its demanding schedule.

The series revolves around the lives of special agents from NCIS. Referred to as the Major Case Response Team, the members of this team only take up high-visibility crimes.

The series takes place in Washington D.C. with the department led by Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.


Why did Kate Todd leave NCIS?

Caitlin Todd was played by Sasha Alexander | Image Source: CBS Studios
Caitlin Todd was played by Sasha Alexander | Image Source: CBS Studios

The role of Special Agent Kate Todd was played by Sasha Alexander. She left NCIS after 49 episodes. Sasha Alexander decided to leave after two seasons on her terms. She left as the series had a demanding schedule.

While talking about leaving the series in an interview with TV Guide in 2012, Sasha Alexander stated,

"People don't realize that on a network show, you make 24 episodes a year- that's 10 and a half months a year, 17 hours a day. It's hardcore."

She further added,

"I really firmly believe in my heart that I would not be where I am today - happily married, with two kids, doing things creatively that I want - if I had stayed."
Mark Harmon also departed from the series | Image Source: The Late Late Show with James Corden
Mark Harmon also departed from the series | Image Source: The Late Late Show with James Corden

It is not rare for actors to leave shows that run for decades. In the past, actors such as Katherine Hiegel have also left shows like Grey's Anatomy for similar reasons. Many actors from NCIS also departed from the series down the line, including Mark Harmon.


Who was Kate Todd in NCIS?

Kate Todd was killed in the Season 2 | Image Source: MaximoTV
Kate Todd was killed in the Season 2 | Image Source: MaximoTV

Special Agent Kate Todd also known as Caitlin Todd was one of the first core characters of the series. Audiences were introduced to Kate Todd in the first episode of the series.

In the first episode, Kate Todd was a member of the President's Secret Service. The first episode sees a Naval officer supposed to carry a "football" die in an Air Force One, under mysterious circumstances.

While others accept the reason behind the officer's death as natural causes, Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Tony DiNozzo are some of the very few who believe the reason being natural causes is far from the truth.

A still from the series | Image Source: CBS Studios
A still from the series | Image Source: CBS Studios

Gibbs and DiNozzo join forces with Kate Todd who helps them investigate this matter which is later revealed to be a plot to kill the President. After being impressed by Kate Todd's work, Leroy Jethro Gibbs offers her a job.

In the later episodes, Kate Todd quits her job and joins NCIS as a junior member of Leroy's team. Despite being loved by fans, Kate Todd was killed in the Season 2 finale by Ari Haswari.


Will audiences see Kate Todd again?

A still from the series | Image Source: CBS Studios
A still from the series | Image Source: CBS Studios

Having been two decades since Sasha Alexander's Kate Todd left the series, it is unlikely for her character to return on screen as many of the characters present when she was alive are not a part of the series anymore.

While sometimes shows bring back old characters posthumously or as hallucinations or flashbacks, this might not happen for Kate Todd.

however, even though she may not return as Kate Todd, there is still a possibility that she will work behind the scenes for the show.

Over the last few years, Sasha Alexander has directed some episodes of Rizzoli & Isles, Bull, and You. She also reunited with her old cast members, Michael Weatherly and Cote De Pablo for their NCIS rewatch podcast. Therefore, it is safe to say there might be a possibility of her return.


Viewers can catch NCIS on CBS and Paramount+ with showtime. To read more about the latest shows, soaps, and films, stay tuned to SoapCentral.

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Edited by Abhimanyu Sharma