©2017 CBS Broadcasting, Inc./Sonja Flemming(LOS ANGELES) — Get ready to say so long to Abby Sciuto — Pauley Perrette is leaving NCIS at the end of the current season.
The actress — who’s played the over-caffeinated, hyper-intelligent, goth-loving forensic scientist since the CBS show’s debut — revealed the news on her Twitter.
“There have been all kinds of rumors as to why,” she writes, adding in all caps, “NO I DON’T HAVE A SKIN CARE LINE AND NO MY NETWORK AND SHOW ARE NOT MAD AT ME.”
Perrette goes on: “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.” It’s unclear where Perrette’s getting the 16 years — NCIS debuted on CBS in September 2003, 14 years ago, and began its 15th season last month.
“All the love, all the laughter, all the inspiration,” Perrette concludes. “I love her as much as you do.”
Perrette’s certainly not the first series regular to leave NCIS — the show’s weathered the departures of Sasha Alexander, Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly, among others. However, the 48-year-old actress is the longest-tenured cast member to depart. Maria Bello joined the regular cast this season as Special Agent Jackie Sloane.
NCIS, starring Mark Harmon as Naval criminal investigator Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, finished last season as the most-watched scripted primetime broadcast drama on TV.
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