Since its first season in 2003, CBS's hit procedural NCIS has experienced notable casting changes. There have been unexpected departures including Sasha Alexander, Duane Henry, and many more. One of the fan-favorite characters was Abigail Scuito or simply Abby, played by Pauley Perrette.
The actress played one of the key figures in NCIS, known for her iconic gothic looks and impressive skills at work. The forensics specialist wasn't just a scientist, but a thoughtful professional who always cared for her teammates. Abby was far from a traditional specialist, and this made her an adored and intriguing character.
Her departure from the procedural after NCIS Season 15 was highly unexpected, as fans always loved watching the Naval Criminal Investigative Service scientist. However, in 2017, Pauley Perrette announced that she wont continue after season 15, injecting fans with speculations about her sudden departure.
The actress initially hinted at starting a skincare line after the CBS drama, but the rumors were shut down. Later, it was revealed that Perrette and her co-star Mark Harmon had conflicts, leading the actress to abandon the long-standing show.
What happened between Pauley Perrette and Mark Harmon in NCIS
Back in 2016, Mark Harmon, who played Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS for more than 15 years, was accompanied by his dog on the sets. Things turned wild when his dog bit a crew member, who reportedly got 16 stitches on his wound. Despite the chaotic and fearful incident, Harmon continued bringing his dog during the shoot.
Since Harmon was one of the key figures of the CBS show, many were afraid to confront him about the dog. However, Pauley Perrette didn't shy away from speaking for her and the crew's safety and expressed feeling uncomfortable during the dog's presence.
Following the conflict, tensions arose between Pauley Perrette and Mark Harmon, ultimately resulting in the two never sharing screens after the incident. As seen in NCIS season 15, Abby didn't meet Gibbs in person, instead she waved a goodbye from the streets to his house and left a note during her final scenes.
The Dawson's Creek star even alleged s*xual assault on the sets of NCIS. She posted Tweets without clearly mentioning if the post was directed to Harmon or another co-star. Following Perrette's claims, CBS TV Studios shared:
"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."
The actress later expressed her gratitude for always having their back and receiving great care after the incident. However, this didn't overturn Perrette's decision to return and reprise her role as Abby.
Additionally, Mark Harmon never commented or shared a statement regarding his feud with Pauley Perrette. The actor announced his departure from NCIS in 2021, as Gibbs retired from his job and preferred spending his life in Alaska.
Pauley Perrette mentioned having nightmares after leaving NCIS
Following her conflicts with Mark Harmon and allegations against s*xual assault, Perrette never reconsidered coming back to the hit procedural.
However, fans kept asking if the actress would return as Abby anytime in the future, to which she posted on in X (formerly Twitter) account:
In a 2020 interview with Hello!, Perrette acknowledged the success and fame Abby brought her, and she's never "ungrateful for the benefits" and the spotlight she received from her on-screen role.
The actress also mentioned her personal growth, and now feels like a "different person" than what she was while her run on the CBS drama. Pauley Perrrete is satisfied with her life and embracing authenticity.
What is the former NCIS star Pauley Perrette doing now?
Pauley Perrett's last role was Jackie in CBS sitcom Broke, which was canceled soon after its first season. After the cancellation, Perrette didn't make a return to the small screen and announced retiring from acting in 2021.
However, Perrette is active in working for great causes and is interested in producing documentaries. She's the executive producer of Studio One Forever, a 2-23 documentary about an iconic nightclub in West Hollywood, California.
Pauley Perrette also mentioned living her best life and returning to acting will only pull her back to the place where she didn't feel connected. She continues to post about things she cares about on her social media, notably her Instagram account.
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