NCIS first aired in 2003, and there has inevitably been plenty of behind-the-scenes drama surrounding one of the US’ most popular series of all time. So, what has happened between the cast and crew over the course of the show’s 20-year run? Find out more here…
Mark Harmon and Pauley Perrette
Pauley was said to have left the show due to a squabble with Mark, and she has since confirmed that she will never return because she is “afraid” of him. It was revealed that Mark’s dog, who was frequently on the set of the show, bit a member of the crew in 2016, requiring 15 stitches. Crew members did not comply with Pauley’s request that the dog not be allowed back on set.
Pauley alluded to the situation in a series of tweets, writing: “I’ve been supporting anti-bullying programs forever.” But now I know for SURE because it was ME! If you’re required to attend school or work?
“It’s frightening. I left. Several physical assaults. I finally get it. Keep yourself safe. Nothing is more important than your safety. Inform someone.”
Mark has yet to comment on the situation.
Pauley has spoken out about her breakup with Mark.
Michael Weatherly and Mark Harmon
Although they eventually got along, Michael revealed that he and Mark didn’t get along when he first appeared on the show as Tony DiNozzo. “Mark Harmon and I were on different poles,” he previously told The Futon Critic. I was Antarctica, he was the North Pole, and we were just looking down there, wondering, ‘What’s up with your polarity? What exactly is going on? For me, the water goes down the drain the other way.'”
“And he was confused by my presence right from the start,” he continued. When CNN Showbiz Today or one of those shows asked what the best part of doing the pilot was during the upfronts, I said, ‘I got a rubber gun and a fake badge.’ And Harmon looked at me as if to say, ‘That is your CNN answer?’ [Laughs.] And I felt like a small child who had had one too many bowls of Count Chocula.”
They eventually became friends.
Cote de Pablo and show executives
Viewers adored Cote’s character Ziva, but the actress left the show in 2013 due to concerns about her character’s future. “Unfortunately, because of political reasons and scripts that were not good enough, I chose not to [return to NCIS].” Look at how much I adore this character! I spent eight years creating Ziva and when I felt she wasn’t being treated with the respect she deserved.
“They were going to send [Ziva] back to Israel and make her a miserable, unfortunate woman.” It didn’t seem fair to me. I told them I wouldn’t return until someone wrote something truly fantastic for Ziva.”
Cote De Pablo left over unhappiness at her storyline.
Cote de Pablo and David McCallum
Following Cote’s departure, David McCallum publicly expressed his displeasure with Cote’s decision to leave the series. “It was frustration and anger that someone should just walk out on us,” he told Digital Spy. I just don’t understand how a leading lady in a worldwide show, who ostensibly wants to be an actress, walks away from such a gem and vanishes a couple of days before we start production.”
David openly criticized Cote’s choice.
Cote de Pablo and Pauley Perrette
Fans suspected Pauley had hinted at a feud with Cote after the star left the show. Pauley wished Cote well during the 2013 Summer TCA press tour, telling E! News, “We love her.” She’s one of our friends. She needed to make a personal decision. Nobody wanted her to go. There was no commotion.” Fans, however, pointed out that Pauley was wearing a T-shirt that read “I [heart] my job” during the press tour, and speculated that it was’shading’ Cote’s decision to quit.
Following Cote’s departure, fans thought Pauley made a statement with her T-shirt.
Donald P. Bellisario and Mark Harmon
The show’s creator reportedly left due to ongoing tensions with Mark, which were centered on working conditions and long filming days. When asked about their feud, Donald once stated, “I asked Mark to reshoot a scene.” He repeated it exactly as he had the first time and never spoke to me again. “I’m sorry it ended the way it did.”
“After a couple of years, we got to the point where we were getting scripts late from [Bellisario],” David McCallum previously told Digital Spy. Because of a disagreement between Mark Harmon, who was representing the cast and crew, and Don, CBS decided that Don would leave us.”
Donald left the show due to disagreements with Mark.
“If we’re working 14-hour days now instead of the 17- or 18-hour days that we were doing, it doesn’t mean we’re working any less hard,” Mark once said. We’re just better organized… This has turned into a well-oiled machine. I don’t want to compete in the press with Bellisario… He understands why he left.”
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