During NCIS Season 3, two new female characters joined the cast: Lauren Holly as Director Jenny Shepard and Cote de Pablo as Ziva David. While de Pablo stayed on the show until Season 11, Holly departed after just three seasons. So, what led to her quick exit, and what happened to her character?
Lauren Holly’s decision to leave NCIS was her own. After returning to acting, she felt restless in her role as Director Shepard and wanted to explore new opportunities. When she chose to move on, it was up to the show’s writers to determine how her character would exit. Holly wasn’t upset about Jenny being permanently written out.
Jenny Shepard’s departure came in the NCIS Season 5 finale, in a shocking turn of events similar to Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd. The writers chose to kill off Jenny in a dramatic gunfight at an abandoned diner. The shootout stemmed from Jenny’s quest for revenge over her father’s death, a storyline developed in Season 4. While pursuing the man she held responsible, Jenny found herself in a deadly confrontation.
Even if Jenny had survived the gunfight, her fate was sealed. Her autopsy revealed she had a terminal illness, meaning her death was inevitable. Ultimately, Jenny ensured her end was on her terms, though it was still a heartbreaking and shocking moment for fans.
