The CBS hit seriesNCISwill be saying goodbye to one of its longtime series regulars at the end of its current 15th season. Actress Pauley Perrette announced on social media that she is in fact leaving the hit series at the end of Season 15, while also shooting down some of the outlandish rumors regarding her departure. Here’s what the actress had to say on social media below about her departure, and how she wants fans to remember her character,Abby Sciuto
“So, it is true that I am leaving NCIS after this season. There have been all kinds of false stories as to why (No I do not have a skin care line and no my network and show are not mad at me). It was a decision made last year. I hope everyone will love and enjoy EVERYTHING ABBY not only for the rest of this season, but for everything she has given all of us for 16 years. All the love, all the laughter, all the inspiration… I love her as much as you do.”
Pauley Perrette is one of only three stars of the original series regulars the have starred in all 15 seasons, alongside Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and David McCallum as Donald Mallard.CBSrenewedNCISfor Season 14 and the currentSeason 15 in February 2016, with original star Mark Harmon also signing a new two-year deal that also brings his deal up through Season 15. There has been no indication yet as to whether or not CBS plans on renewingNCISfor a 16th season and beyond, but it wouldn’t be surprising, given the show’s strong ratings.
Last season was the first without longtime series regular Michael Weatherley, who stayed put on CBS with the new seriesBull, which returned with its second season this week. The ratings did slip significantly, with the Season 14 premiere with a 2.17 rating while attracting 15.9 million viewers, which is still among the best on TV, but it was down 12% from the last season’s premiere. The season as a whole averaged 14.1 million viewers per episode, also down 12 percent from the previous season, which attracted 16.6 million viewers. The Season 15 premiere ofNCIS, which aired last week, slipped quite a bit again, bringing in 13.1 million viewers, and with the fan favorite Pauley Perrette leaving the show after this season, it wouldn’t be surprising if the network starts mapping out an endgame.
Pauley Perrette hasn’t revealed any plans for her post-NCISfuture, but after appearing on a high-rated blockbuster show likeNCIS, she’ll certainly have plenty of options at her disposal.NCISis not only a massive hit around the world, but it also spawned numerousCBS spin-offssuch asNCIS: Los AngelesandNCIS: New Orleans. Hopefully we’ll find out more about this talented actress' plans soon, but until then take a look at the message she left onPauley Perrette Twitter.
