Fans of NCIS have watched some of television’s most beloved characters disappear without warning, often in ways that left audiences stunned, heartbroken, or demanding answers. Behind each exit lay a different story, ranging from exhaustion and creative boredom to real-life tragedy and even scandal. Sasha Alexander, who played Caitlin “Kate” Todd, was one of the first major departures. Her character was killed by a sniper’s bullet at the end of season two, a death that shocked viewers.
The reason for her exit was not a ratings stunt. Alexander told producers she was exhausted by the relentless production schedule, which included nearly year-round 17-hour days. She asked to leave for her own well-being, and the producers honored her request with a dramatic, unforgettable farewell. Lauren Holly joined the series as NCIS Director Jenny Shepard, originally for just six episodes.
Her chemistry with the team, especially with Gibbs, extended her run to nearly 50 episodes. But Holly later said she became bored with the role, which she felt had become static and repetitive. When showrunner Don Bellisario left the series, the creative direction shifted in ways she felt disconnected from. Her character was written out in a violent standoff with enemies from her past.
Cote de Pablo, who played Ziva David, became one of the show’s most popular stars. Her sudden exit in season 11 caught even her co-stars off guard. Initially silent about her reasons, de Pablo later revealed she left because she felt the writers were no longer respecting the character she had built for eight years. She felt the scripts had flattened Ziva, stripping away her depth and strength, and she chose to walk away rather than continue playing a diminished version of her.
Michael Weatherly departed after 13 seasons as Anthony DiNozzo. His exit was not driven by conflict but by exhaustion. Weatherly said he was creatively and physically tired after more than a decade in the role. His character left the team to raise his daughter with Ziva, a bittersweet farewell that left fans hoping for a reunion.
After leaving, Weatherly starred in the CBS series Bull, but later faced controversy when actress Eliza Dushku accused him of making inappropriate comments on set. CBS settled with Dushku for $9. 5 million, and Weatherly apologized for some of his behavior. Pauley Perrette, who played forensic scientist Abby Sciuto, left in 2017 after 15 seasons.
Following her final episode, she posted cryptic social media messages mentioning physical assaults and being silenced. Reports emerged of tension on set involving Mark Harmon, reportedly stemming from an incident in which Harmon’s dog bit a crew member requiring stitches. Perrette did not name Harmon directly but suggested the environment had become unsafe. She said she suffered nightmares and paranoia and vowed never to return to the show.
CBS released a statement saying they had worked with both actors to resolve issues. Jennifer Esposito joined the cast as Alex Quinn but left after only one season. She later clarified that she was healthy and had always known the role would be short-term, with her character written out to care for her sick mother. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who played Clayton Reeves on NCIS, was introduced with big plans under showrunner Gary Glasberg.
After Glasberg died in 2016, the creative direction changed, and Henry said the team seemed unsure what to do with Reeves. The character was killed off in a heroic scene protecting Abby, an emotional exit that left fans devastated. Emily Wickersham, who played Ellie Bishop, left at the end of season 18. She announced her departure on Instagram, thanking the cast and crew.
She left to focus on her personal life, including becoming a mother, and her exit was reportedly free of any behind-the-scenes tension. In the New Orleans spin-off, Shalita Grant left her role as Sonia Percy after rising from recurring guest to series regular. Her exit was called mutual and friendly, but fans speculated about possible creative conflicts. Zoe McLellan, who played Meredith Brody, was written out after two seasons.
Former showrunner Jeffrey Lieber later said CBS chief Les Moonves allegedly made a degrading remark about her, saying she “wasn’t enough. ” Moonves was later forced out of CBS amid multiple misconduct allegations, but McLellan had already been removed from the show. Lucas Black left NCIS: New Orleans after six seasons as Christopher LaSalle. His character was killed on screen, and Black later explained he left to focus on his wife and children.
His public message was simple and peaceful: “That’s all she wrote. ”
Miguel Ferrer, who played Assistant Director Owen Granger on NCIS: Los Angeles, delivered one of the most heartbreaking exits in the franchise. Ferrer was diagnosed with throat cancer, and rather than hide his declining health, the producers incorporated it into the show. Ferrer continued working until he physically could not continue, and he died on January 19, 2017, at age 61.
The show paid tribute to him with a moving episode featuring his band, The Generators, playing “Knocking on Heaven’s Door. ”
These 12 departures reveal the human cost behind one of television’s most successful franchises. Some actors left because they were drained, others because they felt disrespected, and others because life gave them no choice.
Each exit left a mark on the show and its audience, a reminder that the people behind NCIS carried burdens the cameras never showed.