NCIS is one of the most successful series on network television right now, as the show
has dominated TV ratings for years. And while its cast might seem squeaky clean on screen,
it doesn't take too much digging to unearth some dark secrets. Here's what you might not
know about the cast of NCIS.
Tapping out
At the end of NCIS's second season, the show shockingly killed off one of its main characters,
Special Agent Kate Todd. But it turns out that's exactly what actress Sasha Alexander
wanted.
NCIS creator and then-showrunner Donald Bellisario told the Chicago Tribune, "Sasha came in with
tears in her eyes, she said, 'I just can't work this hard. [It's] a hard show to make.
We work very long hours, and Sasha just didn't feel she was physically up to that kind of
time and commitment."
Despite leaving what would become a cultural phenomenon, Alexander had no regrets about
walking away.
She told TV Guide, "People don't realize that on a network show, you make 24 episodes a
year — that's 10½ months a year, 17 hours a day. It's hard core… I really firmly believe
in my heart that I would not be where I am today — happily married, with two kids,
doing things creatively that I want — if I had stayed."
Cut and run
One person whose departure was not anticipated was Cote de Pablo, who played fan favorite
Special Agent Ziva David for eight seasons. She quit the show in 2013 — mere days before
filming on the drama's 11th season began — shocking both her fans and co-stars alike.
NCIS actor David McCallum didn't mince words about de Pablo's sudden departure when he
told Digital Spy, "It was frustration and anger that someone should just walk out on
us ... I just don't understand how a leading lady in a show that's worldwide, who ostensibly
wants to have a career as an actress, suddenly walks away from such a gem and just vanishes
a couple of days before we start production."
Pauley Perrette echoed that sentiment, telling E! News, "It was huge news to us. I found
out literally 20 minutes before it was released in the press. But we love her. She's our friend.
She had a personal decision to make. No one wanted her to leave. There was no drama…
there really isn't much to tell."
Meanwhile, Perrette also seemed to throw some subtle shade on her former co-star by wearing
a shirt that said "I love my job" before tweeting the same message.
De Pablo later revealed the reason for her decision to leave, saying:
"Because of political things and the scripts not being good enough."
Bad blood
The show's intense schedule and long hours also took a toll on the relationship between
Bellisario and the series' biggest star, Mark Harmon.
According to TV Guide, the actor had reportedly grown tired and frustrated with the longtime
producer's "chaotic management style" and his effort to "micro-manage" the cast.
This culminated in months of feuding between the two, and Bellisario was ultimately forced
out. He kept his executive producer title when he stepped down but effectively lost
all control of the hit show he'd helped create.
"Wow!"
It wasn't the only power struggle Harmon had been engaged in, however.
Custody battle
Back in the 1980s, Harmon attempted to gain permanent custody of his then 12-year-old
nephew, Sam. The actor built a case with his wife, Pam Dawber, on the grounds that his
estranged sister, Kristin Nelson, was addicted to prescription drugs and therefore an unfit
parent. After a long legal battle, the former West Wing star dropped the bid after Nelson
completed a rehab program in June 1987. However, there may have been more to the story.
Around that time, Nelson's defense reportedly made a move to potentially target Dawber for
alleged cocaine use while working on Mork and Mindy. Dawber told the court that any
such testimony would be a lie, but Harmon reportedly initiated settlement talks midway
through his wife's testimony. Sam returned to this mother, and Harmon was granted visitation
rights.
The legal settlement reportedly did not resolve the family tension, which continued until
2017 when a source told Radar Online that the siblings finally "worked through their
issues."
Troubled homefront
Pauley Perrette is best known as the lovable, goth-chic Forensic Scientist Abby Sciuto.
Not unlike her character, the actress has faced adversity and heartache throughout her
life.
Her first marriage to Francis "Coyote" Shivers, a Canadian DJ, was an emotionally and physically
abusive nightmare that ended in a contentious divorce after a two-year separation in 2006.
To strengthen her case and stop the cycle of abuse, Perrette teamed up with Shivers'
first ex-wife and a former girlfriend. All three women allegedly endured similar harassment
from Shivers, including stalking, computer hacking, threats, vandalism, intentional infliction
of emotional distress, and even assault.
She told Fox News, "Because of my fear of him, I left. I grabbed my two dogs, my cat
and my laptop and I ran ... My whole goal was to be able to work in television and film
and maintain a normal life, never be in a tabloid. I was clean as snow. And now there's
this guy. And I find myself in the middle of a horror movie I didn't audition for."
Perrette was ultimately granted a restraining order against her ex, and Shivers was sentenced
to 90 days in jail for violating that restraining order in 2013 by attempting to contact Perrette
online.
Criminal record
Best known as the ever-charming and funny Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, Michael Weatherly
doesn't seem the type to ruffle feathers — but he was once busted for drinking and driving.
According to TMZ, the actor was stopped by Los Angeles police for speeding in November,
2015, but ended up being arrested and booked on DUI charges. Weatherly pleaded no contest
to the charge, and earned three years probation and mandatory participation in a alcohol program
as a result.
Weatherly made the decision to leave NCIS shortly after his sentencing, tweeting, "I
will miss the amazing crew & cast, who are like family to me, & to the fans all over
the world. THANK YOU, it's been a fantastic ride!"
That was an interesting choice of words, considering what got him into this mess in the first place.
"Oh that's good. That's good. Where'd you come up with that one?"
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