In a recent interview with Deadline, CBS Studios President David Stapf addressed the potential return of Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto in the NCIS franchise. Stapf acknowledged that while there haven’t been discussions or efforts from either side to facilitate Perrette’s return, he expressed optimism about the possibility in the future. Stapf emphasized Perrette’s beloved status within the franchise, stating that she will always have a place in the NCIS family.
However, Perrette’s potential return may be complicated by her previous statements suggesting she would never return to NCIS. In a post on social media in 2019, Perrette alleged that she was terrified of co-star Mark Harmon after an incident involving Harmon’s dog on set. Perrette claimed to have nightmares about the incident and asserted that she would never return to the show.
The reported falling out between Perrette and Harmon occurred in 2016 after Harmon’s dog bit a crew member on set. Perrette was said to be upset that Harmon continued to bring the dog to set and claimed to have been physically assaulted by Harmon following the incident.
Although Harmon has since left NCIS as a main cast member, his role as Gibbs will continue in an upcoming prequel series, where he will serve as the narrator. With the passage of time, there remains a possibility that Perrette may reconsider her stance on returning to NCIS, especially given CBS’s openness to her return and the potential for her to avoid interacting with Harmon on set. Ultimately, the decision lies with Perrette regarding whether she will return to the franchise that made her character Abby Sciuto an enduring fan favorite.
