‘NCIS’ Star Pauley Perrette on Why She’s Leaving & Abby’s Emotional Final Episodes
Q&A
The Average American spends roughly four years at a single job. Take one look at NCIS’s Pauley Perrette and you can be pretty sure she’s not the average American. Not many women style their dyed raven hair in the pigtails and bangs she wears onscreen as forensic specialist Abby Sciuto (not to mention offscreen when the Los Angeles weather is hot and sticky).
Perrette’s 15 seasons on NCIS make Abby the longest-working forensic expert on TV and the third-longest-serving female law enforcer on primetime (behind the Law & Order franchise’s Mariska Hargitay and S. Epatha Merkerson). For nearly a decade, Perrette has scored the highest Q rating—a metric that measures a celebrity’s appeal—of any TV actress. In 2010, she ranked as high as Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman. “We should all do a film together,” she joked at the time, “or at least get a beer.”
The point is, rather than jump ship (or, really, show) after a few seasons or a little bit of fame, Perrette stuck around. A lot of that had to do with her dedication to Abby, a character conceived by NCIS creator Donald Bellisario to A) demonstrate that women can excel at math, science and computers and handle themselves around dead bodies and B) challenge the stereotype that all tattooed goth girls dressed in black are bitchy, needle-marked perps. Abby is proper nice.
Since taking on the role, Perrette has received thousands of fan letters and Twitter messages from the young ladies she inspires. Which is one of the reasons, the actress says, it’s going to be hard to say goodbye—and why she’s already set up scholarship funds for women studying forensic science at Georgia’s Valdosta State University (her alma mater) and New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
In 2003, Harmon called Perrette to say congrats on the job — which she didn’t know she had yet.
She’s also happy Abby is getting a fitting send-off. During her penultimate episode on May 1, in true quirky style, Abby wins a dinner reservation for two at a brand-new five-star restaurant housed inside an igloo. The conundrum: which of her colleagues to take with her. The stakes get infinitely higher on May 8 when the team finds evidence revealing that one of them is a hit man’s next target (we’re not promising it’s Abby, but we’re not saying it isn’t).
Either way, she’ll be forever changed by the outcome. The episode, like this whole past season, will feature scores of Easter eggs for Abby’s fans and one very special surprise. Perrette, 49, talked to TV Guide Magazine while spending some downtime at her pet-filled Hollywood home during the last days of filming. We’ll let her fill you in.
How did you prep for your final week on set?
Pauley Perrette: I told myself, “No crying out loud.” I wanted to arrive with a smile on my face and do my best work out of respect for Abby and her fans.
Did you learn anything from when previous cast members left the show?
Well, Michael Weatherly [who portrayed agent Tony DiNozzo from Seasons 1 to 13] is like my brother. We’ve been in constant contact about it. I’ve also been in touch with Sasha Alexander [whose agent Caitlin Todd died in Season 2]. They’ve been a wonderful support system, talking to me about the emotions I’ll have and helping me with all kinds of stuff.
“Sean Murray is one of thos really creative young people,” Perrette says of her costar.
Why did you decide it was the right time for you — and Abby — to move on?
I believe in God and the universe so firmly, and it just suddenly became blindingly apparent that now was the time. After a lot of thought, I decided to announce it myself on Twitter because I didn’t want it to be turned into anything “shocking.” Abby leaving is more than a cheap TV ploy.
What are you most proud of during your time on NCIS?
Oh, Abby’s influence. Young girls all over the world dress like her, they act like her, they talk like her, and they do everything she does. She’s just an excellent role model for everybody. She shows you can be intelligent and kind at the same time. I’ve been molded by her as well. Like her, I’m a church kid — Abby’s in a bowling league with nuns! I use my brain but lead with my heart.
Though, when people ask, “Are you like Abby?” I reply, “No, I’m nowhere near as put together.” I’m very much a slouchy, couchy person. I love to watch TV, especially network sitcoms. People joke about how I’m a TV fanatic who doesn’t watch cable. I could probably survive with just rabbit ears on my television.
What are your favorite memories from your many years on the show?
The entirety of my time with Michael Weatherly. We started on the show together. We lived in the same apartment complex for the first two years. We had this unspoken language between us about always bringing a little bit of levity to the show, even when it’s hard or sad. Because that’s just like life: Things are hard and things are good and things are funny and things are sad, all at the same time. I miss working with him every day.
Abby dropped her perennial sun-blocking parasol at least once: to save a German shepherd (who did help with the case) in 2008’s “Dog Tags.”
Are you bringing anything of Abby’s home with you?
It’s funny, a few episodes ago, Drew Carey guest starred on NCIS. I played his girlfriend on his sitcom, so I’ve known him for a while, and when we had some time to talk, I asked him about what it was like when his show ended, because my departure was coming soon. And he said, “Always let the past be the past.” He didn’t even keep any scripts. And I thought that was good advice.
The only thing I kept was Abby’s parasol. I’ve already taken it — it’s here in my house. It was mine, actually. I’d purchased it myself on eBay, brought it in to the producers and writers years ago and said, “Abby doesn’t go outside without her parasol.”
The neck tattoo? Fake. To add contrast between Abby’s hard-core look and soft-core attitude, creator Bellisario insisted on at least one visible tat.
How emotional are Abby’s final two episodes?
I actually can’t say. Not because I’m not allowed to, but because there are so many different feelings. It’s a cornucopia of emotions. And there is a character from her past who comes back and becomes pivotal to the plotline. There are tears, there are laughs, there are more tears and there’s a lot of love. It’s packed. As an actor and as Abby, I felt a lot. Even right now, I’m running the gamut of emotions.
Every item of Abby’s wardrobe (even the handcuffs and top hat) remains on the NCIS set in a room they’ve nicknamed “Abby’s Closet.”
NCIS, Tuesdays, 8/7c, CBS
Grab Your News!
Get absolutely everything about NCIS in your inbox!
Conversation39 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
O
I can't imagine NCIS without Abby. I've loved the show from the beginning and haven't missed one episode. Too many of my favorites have been deleted. I hope NCIS continues and maybe Abby will show up now and then just like Doc Mallard does. Pauley has done wonders for all as a great actress and person.
15
-
O
Abby is a great character. One of the all time best.
13
-
C
A few episodes left for Abby/Paulie - missing her already.
6
-
O
Ummm...excuse me, Eddie, her name is spelled PaulEY NOT IE! And don't give me the excuse of Autocorrect spelled it that way because that would Only be a lie and no one likes a liar, Eddie! Love, Abby S.
-
-
G
We like the character.
Nowhere in the above piece does it give a reason for her leaving.
5 1
-
G
OK, all of that dribble and I still do not know why she is leaving.
4
-
O
She said, "I believe in God and the universe so firmly, and it just suddenly became blindingly apparent that now was the time."
-
-
B
You, Abby, and Gibbs make the show. I can't imagine the show without you. I will still watch because of Gibbs but it will not be the same.
4
-
C
Pauley's character, Abby, was never allowed to grow up. If you looked the same for 15 seasons and played a character that never acted out of character, I think you would want to do something else, regardless of the significant salary and perks. It was definitely time to leave. She is a generous person and she will continue to enjoy her life outside of TV.
3
-
O
Poor Jimmy is going to have to pick up all of the slag. Gonna missed the energy that she brought to the show.
2
-
G
Just end the show now
3 1
-
B
The show will go down hill after tonight's episode. I will never forget her and will never watch the show again.
2
-
-
C
I can’t imagine anyone whom can replace her!
2
-
G
NCIS is not the same without Abby...she needs to come back...
1
-
C
It's a great ensemble show, but even so, I'm going to miss Abby's quirky kindness. There is not enough kindness in the world.
1
-
R
Too many important cast members have left and are leaving the show...
DeNozzo, David and now Abby.
The new/replacement ensemble of characters appears to be just a scattershot approach and is not working for me.
Gibbs is still great. But, too many holes and new characters in the show that
just do not have that same charisma audience connection.
Producers can squeeze every last year and dollar out of the NCIS.
But, it is not the same. The show has lost its edge and appeal to me.
I'm done with it..
1
-
O
Loved NCIS, but once you start losing all the mains, the show went downhill. Hated losing Cate. Then Zeva. Once we lost Tony, my wife and I were done. It was a great show in it's time, but it overstayed its welcome.
1
-
P
I thought this show ended many years ago. Hmmm...
1
-
O
There you go, not thinking again.
3
-
-
P
I mean I like Gibbs but he is not enough to keep the show float
1
-
O
I as well as many, will truly miss Abby.😢 I really will miss her, we wish her well.
1
-
G
Will miss you Abby.
1
-
R
ditto. How about her getting into a James Bond movie and or Mission Impossible movie excetera. and possibly will she guest on Bull? also I think she could play Jane Russell.
-
G
Would love to see her play Jane Russell. Never made that connection .
-
-
G
Pauley don't know if you realize how many people's lives you touched as the one the only Abby. You worked so hard and made your part so "Alive so interesting ". No one could fill them shoes as well as you did. Thank you for keeping us entertained for so long. NCIS of course won't be the same without you. Enjoy your self in whatever you choose to do next.
-
O
Girls just wanna have fun...in a forensics
lab. Point was made x 100. We get it already! 🤗
Bon voyage, Abby (Pauley)! It was a great ride (and no more black nails!☻ Weeeee!)! Thanks.
-
G
Why in the world are they killing her off, what if she wants to come back. I love NCIS because of Abby.
-
P
I heard Mark Harman wouldn’t keep his pit bull dogs off set and she was very afraid of him. Not sure if that is true up for discussion
1
-
-
G
Once she is gone please NEVER allow that haircut on TV again.
-
O
I watched "24" years after it was broadcast. I recognised Pauley as a driver picking up one of the damsels in distress. I was startled because she looked older in 2002 than she does now! What is the name of the special facial creme she endorses?
-
R
I am very upset that the crazy, unique, beautiful Abby will no longer be on the show. They have changed most of the characters in the show. I kept watching altho it took me awhile to get used to the new ones. If Abby goes then I also go. I love Gibbs but not enough to watch NCIS without Abby.
1 1
-
R
please dont leave abby yr the main reason i watch ncis well and gibbs too but i just dont think i would be able to watch it if your no longer in you are mi idle
-
G
First off for fans of her and NCIS I know it will be hard to see her go. I applaud the actress for going out on her own terms. However( and I get that NCIS is huge and deserves cover stories) but really TWO CBS !!!!! shows in a row on the cover? one of the reasons I cannot stand the magazine anymore is because it is so slanted towards CBS( is it because CBS or some subsidiary owns TV Guide?) How come Scandal didn't get a cover for its goodbye? Hello Scandal even at its worst is ten times better than Seal Team( which brings up my irk about the lack of a cover for Bones before IT went off the air). I have a problem with the magazine giving a cover story to a show that it doesn't even remotely promote or gives spoilers out more than twice every six months. Maybe its sour grapes on my part but it would be nice if the magazine would stop saying a middling show is a great one( or popular one) just because the lead actor is( and funnily enough despite my like of DB his character is the worse thing about ST) Sorry for my vent but Pauley deserved the cover David did not
-
R
I never watched Bones, but I love SEAL Team. Can't imagine anyone but Boreanaz as the main character.
4
-
C
Yes, CBS owns TV Guide
1
-
B
Did you ever watch Angel? I love Abby, German Shepherds, and cats like David's. They and NCIS have helped me through many hard times.
3
-
-
O
never cared for her and glad she's going, but she'll be back. there won't be any offers pouring in.
2
-
R
It's not like she needs the money. She was paid well and, since NCIS is shown around the world all the time, she'll continue to get residuals for the 15 seasons she was on.
-
O
oh well that ought to set her for the rest of her life them I guess.
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services