Pauley Perrette spent 15 seasons as one of NCIS’s most beloved characters. Abby Sciuto wasn’t just popular — she became the emotional center of the show, adored for her empathy and uniqueness. When she left, official explanations were brief and carefully worded. What fans didn’t see were the deeper tensions and emotional strain that built over time behind the camera. Perrette later made it clear she would never return to acting on television. That decision alone suggested her exit was about more