‘NCIS’: Every Main Character Who Left the Show (& Why)

by

Since it first aired in 2003, NCIS has been a major success in the world of crime dramas. Originally a spin-off of the popular show JAG, NCIS quickly became known for its exciting cases, interesting characters, and a great mix of humor and serious moments. Created by Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill, NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) rapidly became one of the most popular shows to binge-watch.

NCIS has always been a show about its team, and while it’s sad to see actors leave, those departures have also opened the door for new stories and characters. Fans will always remember the impact of these beloved characters and are excited to see what the future holds for the show – and maybe even a few familiar faces returning. Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable characters who’ve left the NCIS team and why they moved on.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Played by Mark Harmon


CBS Studios

After 18 seasons as a central figure on NCIS, Gibbs left the show in 2021 to enjoy a more peaceful life. This was mainly because actor Mark Harmon decided to leave the series to pursue other interests and spend more time with his family. His departure was a major loss for the team and is considered one of the most memorable exits in the show’s history.

One of the Show’s Hardest Departures for Fans

After Mark Harmon left the show, Gary Cole joined as a new lead, playing NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker. CBS isn’t closing the door on Harmon potentially returning, with CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach saying it’s up to him. While he won’t necessarily reprise his role as Gibbs, Harmon continues to be involved with the NCIS universe as an executive producer and narrator for the prequel series, NCIS: Origins.

Ziva David

Played by Cote de Pablo


CBS Studios

Ziva’s exit from the show initially appeared permanent, with the storyline suggesting her death. However, the character unexpectedly returned, pleasing fans, and eventually left to keep her family safe. This was due to Cote de Pablo’s decision to leave NCIS in 2013, as she wanted to pursue other acting roles and prioritize time with her family.

True Feelings Revealed After a Slow Exit From the Show

In 2016, actress Cote de Pablo explained why she left NCIS, stating she wasn’t happy with the direction her character, Ziva, was taking and felt the storylines weren’t compelling enough to keep her on the show. She discussed this further in a 2019 interview.

I deeply care about this character; I spent eight years developing her and grew very attached. Because of that, if I felt she wasn’t being treated with the respect she earned, no amount of money could have convinced me to continue with the project.

Fans of the show and of Cote de Pablo were thrilled to learn she would be returning in a new series, NCIS: Tony & Ziva. This spin-off finally gave de Pablo the storyline she’d hoped for, focusing on her character, Ziva, and her partner, Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), as they navigated parenthood while trying to clear their names after being wrongly blamed for a cyberattack.

Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo

Played by Michael Weatherly


CBS Studios

Tony left NCIS to prioritize his family and become a father after learning he had a daughter with Ziva David. Michael Weatherly chose to leave the show in 2016 to pursue other acting opportunities and projects, including the lead role in Bull, which ran for six seasons and ended in 2022.

An Exit for Personal Reasons Leading to A Celebrated Return

Weatherly later explained to The Hollywood Reporter that he became exhausted by the demanding schedule of the show and felt a sense of completion with his character’s journey. He was pleased with how things ended. Fans were thrilled to see him return for a guest appearance in the second episode of NCIS‘s 21st season, both to honor his late co-star David McCallum and to introduce the upcoming spin-off, NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

Timothy McGee

Played by Sean Murray


CBS Studios

In Season 18 of NCIS, McGee was temporarily written off the show due to a gunshot wound. This storyline allowed actor Sean Murray to take time off during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic so he could focus on keeping his family safe.

Gone for a Short Time, But Not a Long Time

Starting with season 20, David Murray has returned as a key character and continues to be a fan favorite on NCIS, remaining an important part of the team. With several cast members leaving the show, fans will be pleased to hear that Murray is optimistic about its future, believing the show’s long-running success is due to the strong relationships between the actors. He shared this with Entertainment Weekly in 2023:

Over time, viewers have really connected with and grown fond of these characters, becoming quite protective of them. We, the cast and crew, are also very close – we work hard, but we genuinely enjoy each other’s company both on and off set, and that strong bond definitely comes through in the show.

Abby Sciuto

Played by Pauley Perrette


CBS Studios

Fans were deeply saddened when Abby left the show. Pauley Perrette, who played Abby, decided to leave NCIS after 15 seasons to pursue other work and dedicate more time to charity. In recent years, Perrette had also shared that she’d been dealing with health issues, including a stroke, which may have contributed to her decision.

Startling Revelations and a Decision to Leave the Industry

Abby’s departure from the show was carefully managed, with a farewell that suggested she might return in the future. However, over time, Pauley Perrette made it clear she wouldn’t be coming back. After leaving, she publicly revealed she had experienced physical attacks and a dog bite while working on the set. She also stated she was afraid of her co-star Mark Harmon and, according to Deadline, has no plans to return to NCIS or acting at all because of him.

Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop

Emily Wickersham


CBS Studios

Ellie Bishop’s time on NCIS came to a close, finishing her character’s story arc. Actress Emily Wickersham chose to leave the show in 2021 to focus on other projects and explore new creative paths. Fans had mixed feelings about Bishop’s departure, as they had come to appreciate her unique and smart personality.

Wickersham’s Family Focus Made Her Take a Step Back From Acting

Emily Wickersham’s character left the team after admitting to revealing classified NSA information, and she then began working undercover with the CIA alongside Odette Malone. Since leaving NCIS, the actress has mostly stayed out of the public eye, prioritizing her family and welcoming a son in 2021. She hasn’t acted since leaving the show, making a return to the series improbable.

Caitlin “Kate” Todd

Played by Sasha Alexander


CBS Studios

When Sasha Alexander left NCIS during its second season, fans were surprised. The show was incredibly popular and had a dedicated following, so her early departure was unexpected. Alexander chose to leave in order to explore other acting roles and broaden her career.

Leaving to Pursue Other TV Opportunities

Kate’s character was tragically killed during her work, deeply affecting both the show’s team and its audience. After leaving the series, Alexander went on to enjoy a successful seven-season run as Dr. Maura Isles on Rizzoli & Isles, with subsequent appearances in shows like Shameless, Law & Order: SVU, and The Morning Show. More recently, though, she has taken a step back from regular television and film work.

Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane

Played by Maria Bello


CBS Studios

When Maria Bello left her role as Jack Sloane on NCIS in 2021, it brought an end to her time as the team’s forensic psychologist. The show gave Sloane a thoughtful and complete storyline, providing fans with a satisfying conclusion to her character’s journey and allowing Bello to explore new opportunities.

An Emmy-Winning Endeavor

Following her departure from NCIS, Maria Bello gained acclaim for her role as Jordan Forster in the Netflix series Beef, which received eight Primetime Emmy Awards, including recognition as Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. She also expanded her work behind the camera, producing the Viola Davis film The Woman King. Though she doesn’t currently have any announced projects, Bello remains engaged in the entertainment industry, including a starring role in the Netflix series The Waterfront, which was unfortunately canceled before its 2025 release.

Clayton Reeves

Played by Duane Henry


CBS Studios

Clayton Reeves first appeared on NCIS in Season 13 as a guest star, later becoming a regular cast member in Season 14. Sadly, Duane Henry’s character was killed during a mission, bringing his time on the show to an end. Fans were upset by the loss of his popular and talented agent.

A Devastating Death Behind-the-Scenes Led to an Aimless Character

Fans were surprised when Henry left the show, following Pauley Perrette’s departure and creating a lot of emotion for viewers. The character he played, Clayton Reeves, was created by NCIS showrunner Gary Glasberg, who sadly passed away in 2016. After Glasberg’s death, the show’s producers struggled to find a direction for the character and ultimately decided to remove him from the series. Fortunately, Duane Henry’s career hasn’t slowed down, and he continues to work in television and film.

Jenny Shepard

Played by Lauren Holly


CBS Studios

Jenny Shepard, the previous director of NCIS, left the show in a shocking and memorable way. Actress Lauren Holly’s character died in Season 5, bravely giving her life to save her team from a threat. Her departure deeply affected everyone and signaled the end of a significant chapter for the show.

Holly Becomes Creatively Restless After A Longer Stint on the Show Than Initially Planned

After appearing on NCIS for three seasons, Holly decided to leave the show. She originally signed on for just six episodes but ended up staying much longer, and felt she’d become too attached to the character. The long commute from her home in Chicago to Los Angeles, which kept her away from her family, also contributed to her decision. She quickly became unhappy with the situation and later shared her thoughts on her website.

I really loved being part of the show and made some great friends. I was really disappointed when Don Bellisario, the original creator, had to leave – I missed working with him. Honestly, after getting back into working, I started to feel restless in my role as a director. Eventually, the writers decided to kill off my character, and they certainly made sure I stayed dead – they came up with about five different ways for it to happen!

Read More

2025-10-27 03:37