“You Don’t Want to Force Someone to Work.” NCIS Showrunner Has Helped a Fan Favorite Leave the TV Show, Because the Grueling Work Schedule Was Too Much for Her

As a fan who has followed Sasha Alexander’s journey from the early days of NCIS, I have to say that her decision to prioritize her well-being over the demands of the grueling TV schedule was both brave and inspiring. It takes a strong individual to stand up for themselves when faced with such pressures, especially when they have a devoted fanbase who adores their character.


Producing television series can be quite challenging due to the extensive time commitment required from those involved. Unlike film production which may span just a few weeks, actors on TV sets might find themselves working for several months or even up to ten months at a stretch. Shows following the traditional format, with seasons consisting of as many as 24 episodes like NCIS and others, necessitate a considerably longer duration.

It eventually became too taxing for the lead actress in that production, who portrayed beloved character Agent Kate Todd, Sasha Alexander. Due to the demanding schedule over time, she found herself needing a break and requested to be released from her contract on NCIS. This decision was shared by Donald Bellisario, the showrunner of NCIS, during an interview with the Chicago Tribune.

He mentioned that he had been writing the final episode of the season and was preparing for a short trip to Australia for some rest, when Sasha suddenly arrived two days prior to his departure. With teary eyes, she expressed her inability to continue working at such an intense pace.

Making NCIS isn’t a walk in the park. We put in some serious overtime hours, and Sasha found herself unable to keep pace with that level of physical endurance and dedication. Despite having her signed on, I approached CBS and explained, “It wouldn’t be fair to compel someone to work when she feels this role doesn’t match her expectations.” I believe the demands were more than she had anticipated.

The producers did not force Alexander to stay and released the actress instead. However, this meant that her character on NCIS met an untimely demise, surprising fans who adored Agent Todd. Regrettably, her narrative arc concluded permanently, with no plans for a potential return.

In a conversation with TV Guide, Alexander admitted that parting ways with NCIS wasn’t an effortless choice for her. Despite the demanding schedule, she didn’t want to disappoint her fans. Yet, she felt it was necessary to prioritize her own comfort.

Many individuals underestimate the intense nature of working on a television series, where you produce 24 episodes annually – that’s approximately 10 and a half months, working around 17 hours a day. It’s no walk in the park. Moreover, the character was deeply cherished, and the way they handled the departure was truly startling…it was essentially a gunshot to the head, if you catch my drift.

Following the conclusion of her stint on NCIS, Sasha Alexander pursued a career in productions that better suited her preferences.

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2024-11-18 21:31