### The Real Reason Pauley Perrette Left NCIS
In its 20-year run, NCIS has seen numerous cast changes, but none were as shocking as Pauley Perrette’s departure in 2018 after 15 years playing the beloved Abby Sciuto. Initially, it seemed she left on good terms, but it was later revealed her exit stemmed from a conflict with Mark Harmon, who plays Gibbs.
The fallout began in 2016 when Harmon brought his dog to set, and it bit a crew member, requiring 15 stitches. Despite the incident, Harmon continued to bring the dog, causing discomfort among the cast and crew. As an NCIS producer, Harmon’s actions went largely unchallenged, but Perrette decided to confront him, leading to a rift.
Sources told The Wrap that after the confrontation, Perrette and Harmon never filmed together again. Their scenes were scheduled on different days, and their final scene together was created through editing magic.
When Perrette announced her departure, rumors circulated that the fallout with Harmon was the cause, though some sources suggested she planned to leave before the dog incident. A week after her final episode, Perrette hinted at deeper issues on Twitter, mentioning a “machine” that kept her silent and spread false stories about her. She implied being bullied, ending her message with “He did it,” which fans interpreted as a reference to Harmon.
CBS responded, stating they had addressed her concerns about Harmon’s dog and emphasized their commitment to a safe work environment. They praised Perrette’s run on NCIS and expressed that she would be missed.
While the full details remain unclear, it’s evident that the incident with Harmon’s dog played a significant role in Perrette’s decision to leave NCIS.
