Hey there, friends. Here's the story you need to know: Pauley Perrette, beloved for her role as Abby Sciuto on NCIS, officially bid farewell on May 8, 2018, after a remarkable 15 seasons. But here's the twist—Pauley's latest Twitter thread suggests something much deeper might have influenced her decision to leave. In a candid and emotional post, she hinted at physical assaults on set, raising eyebrows and sparking serious conversations around workplace safety.
Pauley Opens Up: The Real Reason Behind Her Exit
Pauley didn't shy away from addressing the rumors swirling around her departure. She took to social media with a powerful message. "I refused to stoop low, and that's why I've never publicly shared what happened," she wrote. "But now, there are tabloid articles out there spreading complete falsehoods about me. If you believe them, please just leave me alone. Clearly, you don't know the real me." She added, "Maybe I'm wrong for not spilling the beans. Telling the truth might be the right thing to do. I feel I have a responsibility to protect my crew, jobs, and so many people. But at what cost? I don't know. All I know is that I'm trying to do the right thing. Maybe silence isn't the answer when it comes to crime. I'm... just... conflicted." Her words resonated with fans who have always admired her integrity and strength.
I refused to go low, that’s why I’ve never told publicly what happened. But there are tabloid articles out there that are telling total lies about me. If you believe them? Please leave me alone. You clearly don’t know me. (Sorry guys, had to be said)
Read also:Nicole Kidmanrsquos Spiritual Journey The Career Path She Almost Chose — Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) May 13, 2018
Maybe I’m wrong for not “spilling the beans” Telling the story, THE TRUTH. I feel I have to protect my crew, jobs and so many people. But at what cost? I.don’t know. Just know, I’m trying to do the right thing, but maybe silence isn’t the right thing about crime. I’m… Just… ?
— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) May 13, 2018
Pauley's Continued Reveal: A Powerful Message
Pauley didn't stop there. She continued to share her thoughts, shedding light on the challenges she faced. "There’s a 'machine' keeping me silent and feeding false stories about me," she revealed. "It's a very rich, very powerful publicity 'machine.' It lacks morals, any obligation to the truth, and I'm left here, reading lies, trying to protect my crew. Trying to stay calm." She emphasized her stance on bullying, sharing, "I've always supported anti-bullying programs. But now, I truly understand because it happened to me! If it's a place like school or work where you're required to be, it's absolutely terrifying. I left. Multiple physical assaults. I really get it now. Stay safe. Nothing is worth your safety. Tell someone." Her message was clear: silence isn't always the answer.
Read also:A Night To Remember The Royal Double Date
There is a “machine’ keeping me silent, and feeding FALSE stories about me. A very rich, very powerful publicity “machine”. No morals, no obligation to truth, and I’m just left here, reading the lies, trying to protect my crew. Trying to remain calm. He did it.
— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) May 13, 2018
I’ve been supporting ant-bullying programs forever. But now I KNOW because it was ME! If it’s school or work, that you’re required to go to? It’s horrifying. I left. Multiple Physical Assaults. I REALLY get it now. Stay safe. Nothing is worth your safety. Tell someone.
— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) May 13, 2018
Rumors and Speculation: Mark Harmon in the Spotlight?
Amid Pauley's serious allegations, sources suggest her comments might be directed at her longtime co-star, Mark Harmon. According to reports obtained by Celebrity Insider, tensions between Pauley and Mark arose after an incident in October 2016 involving Mark’s pet pitbull, which seriously injured a crew member. Insiders claim Pauley was furious and started acting like a diva, refusing to shoot scenes with Mark and avoiding him during table reads. However, there's no concrete evidence linking her social media outburst to Mark or the incident.
Pauley’s confession comes shortly after she admitted leaving NCIS wasn't easy. "I usually cry in my car every single day when I drive to work," she confessed to NBC News. "And I usually cry on my way home at some point. Abby made science cool and attainable for young women. This television character did more than encourage it. It made it cool. It made it exciting. It made it fun. It makes me sad to imagine a world without Abby in it." Her heartfelt words reflect her deep connection to the character and her legacy.
She also hinted that leaving was simply about moving on. "I believe in God and the universe so strongly, and it just became blindingly clear that now was the time," she said in a previous interview, according to E! News. "After much thought, I decided to announce it myself on Twitter because I didn't want it to become something shocking. Abby leaving isn't just a cheap TV ploy." Her decision, while bittersweet, was rooted in personal growth and change.
In October 2017, Pauley announced her plan to leave NCIS. "It's true that I'm leaving NCIS after this season," she wrote on Twitter. "There have been all kinds of false stories about why (NO, I DON'T 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." Her message was filled with gratitude and love for her character and fans.
Abby's Farewell: Honoring a Fallen Team Member
As for Abby's storyline, she decided to leave the NCIS unit to honor a fallen team member. In the May 1 episode titled "One Step Forward," Abby and MI-6 officer Clayton Reeves (played by Duane Henry) faced a gun-wielding thief, leaving viewers on edge. Then, one week later, in the May 8 episode titled "Two Steps Back," Abby appeared hospitalized and critically injured after being shot in the chest. Tragically, Clayton didn't survive his injuries.
When Abby awoke from her coma, she told her NCIS co-workers about her plans to leave the team. "Clay died saving my life, and I owe him a debt that I intend to see through," she said during the emotional episode. "Clay always wanted to start a charity in honor of his mom, and since he’s not here to make that happen, I will. I know you may not understand, but it's something I have to do—not just for him but for me." Her decision was heartfelt and resonated with fans who admired her character's strength and compassion.
View this post on InstagramThe team races against the clock to solve a hit-and-run on tonight’s new #NCIS
After CBS showrunners learned Pauley was leaving, they planned a "special send-off" for her and her character. "We’ve known for some time this would be Pauley’s final season on NCIS, and we've been working toward a fitting farewell," executive producers George Schenck and Frank Cardea said in a statement to E! Online. "From day one, she has brought incredible passion and specificity to the role. Abby inspires millions of fans worldwide, and all of us at NCIS are grateful to Pauley for portraying her."
Pauley's Journey: From JAG to NCIS
Pauley made her debut as Abby alongside NCIS characters Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon), Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), Vivian Blackadder (Robyn Lively), Don Dobbs (Tom Jay Jones), and Tom Morrow (Alan Dale) in the Season 8 JAG episode "Ice Queen." This episode served as a backdoor pilot for NCIS, which premiered on CBS in September 2003. Just before the Season 8 NCIS premiere in 2010, Pauley expressed her excitement about portraying Abby. "To be able to play the iconic character of Abby on a show where the entire cast and crew are still excited and in love with the show is a blessing," she told TVEquals.com. "It's great. I'm grateful."
