NCIS has seen several cast members leave over its long run, and their departures have been driven by a variety of reasons, from personal decisions to behind-the-scenes conflicts. Here’s a look at why some key former stars of NCIS left the show:
- Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo)
- Reason for Leaving: Michael Weatherly, known for his role as the charismatic Tony DiNozzo, left the show in 2016 after 13 seasons. His departure was largely motivated by a desire for new opportunities and a change of pace. Weatherly went on to star in the legal drama Bull.
- Quote: Weatherly cited his wish to spend more time with his family and explore new creative challenges.
- Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto)
- Reason for Leaving: Pauley Perrette, who portrayed the beloved forensic scientist Abby Sciuto, left the show in 2018 after 15 seasons. Her exit was surrounded by controversy, with Perrette hinting at on-set conflicts and safety concerns. She later revealed a fallout with co-star Mark Harmon over an incident involving his dog biting a crew member.
- Quote: Perrette tweeted about feeling “terrified” on set, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes tension.
- Cote de Pablo (Ziva David)
- Reason for Leaving: Cote de Pablo left NCIS in 2013 after playing Ziva David for eight seasons. Her departure surprised fans, and de Pablo cited personal reasons and dissatisfaction with the direction of her character’s storyline.
- Quote: De Pablo mentioned her dissatisfaction with Ziva’s storyline and felt it was time to move on.
- Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs)
- Reason for Leaving: Mark Harmon, who played the show’s lead character, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, reduced his role before officially leaving as a regular in 2021 during Season 19. Harmon’s decision was influenced by a desire to step back from acting and focus more on his role as an executive producer.
- Quote: Harmon suggested that Gibbs had run his course and he wanted to pursue other endeavors.
- Sasha Alexander (Caitlin Todd)
- Reason for Leaving: Sasha Alexander left the show after just two seasons. Her character, Caitlin Todd, was killed off in the season two finale. Alexander cited the demanding work schedule as a factor in her decision to leave, seeking to pursue other projects.
- Quote: Alexander described the show as physically demanding and needed a break from the grueling schedule.
- Lauren Holly (Jenny Shepard)
- Reason for Leaving: Lauren Holly, who played NCIS Director Jenny Shepard, left the show in 2008 after three seasons. Her departure was reportedly mutual, with Holly feeling bored and creatively unfulfilled.
- Quote: Holly noted that she felt her character was no longer evolving, prompting her exit.
- Jennifer Esposito (Alex Quinn)
- Reason for Leaving: Jennifer Esposito joined NCIS in Season 14 as Special Agent Alex Quinn but left after just one season. Her departure was attributed to a creative decision by the show’s producers.
- Quote: Esposito tweeted that while she wasn’t planning to leave, she respected the showrunners’ decision.
- Emily Wickersham (Ellie Bishop)
- Reason for Leaving: Emily Wickersham, who played Ellie Bishop, left the show after eight seasons in 2021. Although she didn’t specify the reason for her departure, Wickersham hinted at a desire to explore new opportunities and expressed gratitude for her time on the show.
- Quote: Wickersham shared on Instagram that it was a “good run” but felt it was time to move on.
- Duane Henry (Clayton Reeves)
- Reason for Leaving: Duane Henry, who played MI6 officer Clayton Reeves, left the show in 2018 after two seasons. His character was killed off, and Henry later revealed that his departure was influenced by the showrunners’ uncertainty about his character’s development after the death of showrunner Gary Glasberg.
- Quote: Henry mentioned the difficulty of continuing without Glasberg, who had a vision for Reeves.
- David McCallum (Ducky Mallard)
- Reason for Leaving: Although David McCallum has not officially left NCIS, his role as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard has significantly diminished in recent seasons. McCallum reduced his screen time to focus more on his personal life and semi-retirement.
- Quote: McCallum has expressed a desire to spend more time with his family while still making occasional appearances on the show.
These departures reflect a blend of personal decisions, creative differences, and behind-the-scenes dynamics, contributing to the ever-evolving cast of NCIS.
