Playing a supporting role on television is often seen as a thankless job. The supporting character usually works behind the scenes to help develop the story or play off the antics of the lead.
This is especially true in sitcoms, where the supporting character is often the “beautiful wife married to the buffoon,” serving to highlight the comedy of the main character.
However, in some cases, a supporting character rises beyond just being a sidekick. They become a central part of the show and even steal the spotlight from the lead. Pauley Perrette’s portrayal of Abby Sciuto in NCIS is a perfect example of this.
A character who started as a minor role became one of the most popular figures on television, and Perrette’s performance as Abby became unforgettable. But, despite the character’s popularity, Perrette left the show in 2018 and is never returning.
Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto in NCIS
Abby Sciuto first appeared in NCIS alongside fan favorites like Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), and Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum). Abby’s introduction came in the two-part backdoor pilot that aired during the eighth season of JAG, a legal drama that set the stage for the NCIS spin-off.
From the very beginning, Abby established herself as a unique character. She had extensive knowledge in forensics and criminology and played a key role in helping solve the cases. But it wasn’t just her expertise that made her stand out; it was her personality and the energy she brought to the team.
Abby was different from the rest of the team. While the other characters, like Gibbs and DiNozzo, wore sharp suits and had neatly styled hair, Abby had a distinctive goth look. She wore black clothing, often had her hair in pigtails, and sported tattoos.
On the surface, it seemed like she didn’t fit the usual mold of a crime-solving expert. But her quirky, eccentric style made her even more endearing to the audience. Her expertise, combined with her bubbly personality, made Abby an essential part of the team. She brought a sense of joy and positivity to the workplace, something that helped the team stay grounded, even when faced with difficult cases.
What made Abby stand out even more was how she became a role model for many young viewers. Her character’s expertise in science and technology, along with her enthusiasm for math and forensics, inspired many girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Abby Sciuto was more than just a character on NCIS; she became an iconic figure whose influence reached beyond the show. Fans immediately connected her with the series, even if they hadn’t watched an episode. Her connection to NCIS was so strong that it became nearly impossible to think of the show without her. That kind of recognition is rare for a supporting character.
Despite this success, Perrette chose to leave NCIS after the end of Season 15. She had played Abby for over 15 years, and after so much time on the show, it was clear that Abby had become more than just a side character. But there were behind-the-scenes reasons for Perrette’s departure that were not immediately clear to fans.
Behind the Scenes: Why Pauley Perrette Left NCIS
In Abby Sciuto’s final episode, her character leaves the team after an assassination attempt. She bids an emotional farewell to her colleagues, and her exit marks the end of an era for the series. However, there is one moment in the episode that hints at the real reason behind Perrette’s decision to leave the show.
In her farewell scene, Abby shares the screen with all of her co-stars, except for Mark Harmon, who played Jethro Gibbs. Instead of an emotional goodbye scene between Abby and Gibbs, Perrette’s character sends Gibbs a letter, which he reads while Abby watches from the street.
This moment is significant because it highlights the off-screen tension between Perrette and Harmon that ultimately led to her leaving the show.
Reports indicate that the two actors had several disagreements behind the scenes, with one of the main issues occurring in 2016. According to the reports, Mark Harmon had brought his dog to the set, and the dog bit a crew member, causing a serious injury that required 15 stitches.
After the incident, there was a falling out between Perrette and Harmon. Perrette addressed the issue indirectly on social media, stating that she “refused to go low” and had never publicly discussed what had happened between them. She also called out tabloids for spreading false information and criticized those who believed the rumors.
Later, Perrette’s tweets revealed the emotional toll the situation had taken on her. She suggested that she was considering revealing the truth about what had happened, but she also expressed her concern for her crew’s safety. In one tweet, she wrote, “Multiple Physical Assaults.
I REALLY get it now. Stay safe. Nothing is worth your safety. Tell someone.” These cryptic messages led to further speculation about the reasons behind her departure. It became clear that the situation with Harmon played a large part in Perrette’s decision to leave the show.
In 2019, after fans expressed confusion about whether she would return to NCIS, Perrette made it clear that she would never come back. She tweeted, “NO I AM NOT COMING BACK! EVER! (Please stop asking?) I am terrified of Harmon and him attacking me. I have nightmares about it.
I have a new show that is SAFE AND HAPPY! You’ll love it! #HappyPlace Love y’all!” This public statement confirmed that her exit was permanent, and fans were left with no hope of seeing Abby Sciuto again on NCIS.
Pauley Perrette’s New Projects After NCIS
After leaving NCIS, Pauley Perrette quickly moved on to new projects. She starred in a new show called Broke, where she played the role of a suburban single mother whose life is turned upside down when her estranged sister and her husband show up at her doorstep, needing a place to stay.
Despite Perrette claiming that Broke was her favorite project to work on, the show was canceled after just one season in May 2020.
Following the cancellation of Broke, Perrette made the decision to retire from acting. She announced her retirement with a tweet that read, “I’m HAPPILY RETIRED! Finally! Woot! All I ever wanted!”
After retiring from acting, Perrette shifted her focus to working on documentaries and other personal projects. She has repeatedly stated that she has no plans to return to NCIS or any acting roles in the future.
While NCIS continued to run after Perrette’s departure, it was never quite the same. Abby Sciuto had been such a strong presence on the show that her absence was noticeable. The energy she brought to the team was unmatched, and no character could fully replace her. Fans still remember Abby as one of the best characters to ever appear on the show.
Conclusion
Pauley Perrette’s portrayal of Abby Sciuto in NCIS became iconic. She played a supporting character who transcended her role and became a fan favorite. Her departure from the show was not just a professional decision but also one tied to behind-the-scenes conflicts.
Since leaving NCIS, Perrette has moved on to other projects, including her retirement from acting. However, Abby Sciuto’s legacy will live on, and she will always be remembered as one of the most beloved characters in TV history.
