Unveiling the True Dynamics of Pauley Perrette and Mark Harmon’s “NCIS” Relationship

In May 2018, Pauley Perrette used a series of tweets to address the rumors and misinformation surrounding her departure from “NCIS.” She revealed that she had remained silent to protect her colleagues, but felt compelled to speak out against a powerful publicity machine that was suppressing her voice. Perrette described her experiences on set as involving bullying and multiple physical assaults, though she did not provide specific details in these tweets.

The situation escalated due to an incident involving a dog belonging to Mark Harmon, the show’s lead actor and executive producer. The dog had bitten a crew member, requiring stitches, yet continued to be brought to set. This led Perrette to raise concerns with CBS executives, who ultimately decided to ban the dog from the set. The decision, however, strained the relationship between Harmon and Perrette, leading to them filming on separate days to avoid direct contact.

This scheduling change was evident in the show’s 15th season, Perrette’s last, where the characters played by Harmon and Perrette, Gibbs and Abby, respectively, appeared in scenes together that were actually filmed separately and edited to appear as interactions.

In response to fan inquiries about her potential return to “NCIS,” Perrette firmly stated on Twitter in 2019 that she would not return due to her fear of Harmon, citing traumatic experiences and ongoing nightmares related to the incidents.

Despite these challenges, Perrette has maintained positive relationships with other members of the “NCIS” cast, such as Brian Dietzen. The show’s producers have expressed interest in keeping Abby’s character relevant in the series, though Perrette herself has moved on to other projects, like the CBS sitcom “Broke,” and has since retired from acting.