‘NCIS’ Insider Sheds Light on Abby Actor Pauley Perrette’s Exit, Clash With Mark Harmon

Pauley Perrette’s departure from NCIS after 15 seasons has long intrigued fans, especially given reports of tension behind the scenes. New insights from an oral history shared by NCIS insiders with The Hollywood Reporter shed further light on the situation.

Perrette, who played the beloved character Abby Sciuto, left the show in 2017, sparking much speculation. The conflict reportedly stemmed from an incident involving Mark Harmon’s dog, which had bitten a crew member. Perrette, a passionate advocate for animal welfare, voiced concerns about the dog continuing to be present on set, which created tension between her and Harmon. This conflict became so pronounced that Perrette and Harmon didn’t film any scenes together during her final season.

NCIS executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson acknowledged the incident, explaining that Perrette’s stance came from her deep commitment to safety and animal rights. Harmon, meanwhile, continued to bring his dog to the set, intensifying the dispute. Though the exact details of their conflict are largely private, the fallout was significant enough to affect production dynamics during Perrette’s final episodes.

This revelation adds a layer of understanding to Perrette’s decision to leave, though it underscores how behind-the-scenes issues can impact even long-running, successful shows like NCIS.