Where Are They Now? Former ‘NCIS’ Stars Who Have Moved On
'NCIS' has been a long-running series since 2003, witnessing the departure of notable stars like Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly. Discover where these former 'NCIS' actors are now and what they have been up to since leaving the show.
NCIS, a fan favorite drama, has been airing since 2003 and continues to attract a loyal audience.
The show on CBS features a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service who work together to solve a variety of crimes.
NCIS season 1 started with Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, and David McCallum as the main actors. However, the cast has changed throughout the 21 seasons as actors have joined and left the show.
Mark Harmon, who portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs, departed from NCIS after being part of the show for 18 seasons in October 2021.
Harmon shared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in August 2022 that what has always attracted him to the show is the character he portrays. He mentioned the importance of keeping the character fresh and challenging, as well as acknowledging the storyline his character has taken. Despite his departure, Harmon confirmed that his character is still part of the NCIS universe and is not retired. Currently, the character is residing in Alaska.
Curious about the latest updates on other former NCIS stars? Scroll down to find out!
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
‘NCIS’ Stars Who Left the Series: Where Are They Now?
NCIS has been on the air since 2003 – and the fan favorite drama is still going strong.
The CBS series NCIS follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service who work together to solve a wide range of crimes.
The first season of NCIS featured Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, and David McCallum as the main actors. However, the cast has seen many changes over the course of its 21 seasons as new actors have joined and others have left.
Harmon, who portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs, bid farewell to NCIS after 18 seasons in October 2021.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in August 2022, Harmon shared that the character he played was always a source of inspiration for him. He emphasized the importance of keeping the character fresh and challenging. Despite his departure, Harmon mentioned that his character still exists in the NCIS universe. He clarified that he is not retired and that the character now resides in Alaska.
Scroll through for an update on the former NCIS stars:
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS
Mark Harmon
Harmon portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the CBS series for 18 seasons until October 2021. Following his departure from the show, CBS revealed plans for a prequel called NCIS: Origins, focusing on the early days of Gibbs. Even though Harmon won't be acting as Gibbs, he will be lending his voice as the narrator and working behind the scenes as an executive producer.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Best Possible Screen Grab/CBS
Sasha Alexander
From 2003 to 2005, Alexander played the role of Special Agent Caitlin Todd on NCIS. She also made guest appearances on the show in 2012 and 2015. Following her time on NCIS, Alexander starred in the TNT series Rizzoli & Isles from 2010 to 2016 and Shameless from 2015 to 2016.
In 2007, Alexander tied the knot with director Edoardo Ponti. The couple later became parents to daughter Lucia and son Leonardo.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS
Michael Weatherly
Weatherly left NCIS in May 2016 after 13 years as “Very” Special Agent Tony DiNozzo. The actor left to star in the legal drama Bull, which ran from 2016 to 2022.
In December 2018, it was reported by the New York Times that Eliza Dushku, who acted alongside Weatherly in Bull, received a payment of $9.5 million from CBS. This came after she accused Weatherly of making inappropriate jokes and comments towards her while on set.
After Dushku addressed Weatherly about his behavior, she was unexpectedly written off the show, even though she had hopes of becoming a series regular. Weatherly later expressed regret for his actions towards Dushku.
Despite the controversy, the series Bull continued for three more seasons. However, producers Steven Spielberg, Darryl Frank, and Justin Falvey chose to step down from their positions during this time.
In February 2024, Weatherly made a special appearance on NCIS to honor the memory of the late actor David McCallum, known for his role as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. Additionally, he shared exciting news about returning to play Tony in an upcoming NCIS spinoff.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS
Pauley Perrette
Perrette decided to leave her role as Abby Sciuto in 2017 after being part of the show for 15 seasons. Following her departure, Perrette revealed that she had experienced "multiple physical assaults" while on the set of one of her shows, although she did not specify which show it was at that time.
In May 2018, Perrette took to Twitter to explain her decision to keep silent about the incidents. She mentioned that she chose not to disclose the details publicly because she did not want to engage in negativity. Perrette also expressed frustration over the false stories being spread about her, attributing it to a powerful and wealthy publicity machine that was trying to keep her quiet. Despite the challenges, she remained focused on protecting her crew and staying composed in the face of adversity.
She continued to express her support for anti-bullying programs, revealing that she had personally experienced bullying. Whether it's at school or work, being in a situation where you feel unsafe is terrifying. She shared that she had left due to multiple physical assaults, gaining a deeper understanding of the impact of bullying. Her message was clear: prioritize your safety above all else and don't hesitate to seek help by talking to someone.
Following her tweets, CBS issued a response to We in a statement.
Pauley Perrette had a great time on NCIS and her presence will be missed, said the network. She raised a workplace concern over a year ago which was taken seriously and resolved together. The network emphasized their commitment to a safe work environment on all their shows. After leaving NCIS, Perrette moved on to work on the 2020 sitcom Broke.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS
Cote de Pablo
Cote de Pablo played Ziva David on NCIS from season 3 to season 10 before leaving the show in 2013. She made a comeback as a recurring character in season 17, which aired from 2019 to 2020. Following her time on NCIS, de Pablo took on roles in projects like the film The 33 and the miniseries The Dovekeepers.
Recently, in February 2024, de Pablo announced her return to the NCIS franchise for an upcoming spinoff series, although the details of the new show have not been revealed yet.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS
Emily Wickersham
After 8 seasons playing NSA analyst Eleanor Bishop on NCIS, Emily Wickersham left the show in 2021. Since then, she has shifted her focus away from acting to spend more time raising her son, Cassius. Cassius was born in December 2021 to Wickersham and her partner, James Badge Dale.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Patrick McElhenney/CBS
Jennifer Esposito
Jennifer Esposito played the role of Alexandra “Alex” Quinn in NCIS for just one season in 2017. Since then, she has been seen on other TV shows like Blindspot, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Boys, and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. In addition to her television work, Esposito has also appeared in movies such as Speed Kills (2018), Mary (2019), Mob Town (2019), Somewhere in Queens (2022), and Fresh Kills (2023).
Esposito tied the knot with Jesper Vesterstrøm in 2020. She was previously married to Bradley Cooper from 2006 to 2007 and Louis Dowler from 2014 to 2016.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS
Duane Henry
Henry, known for his role as agent Henry Reeves on NCIS, departed from the show in 2018 after just two seasons. He revealed that the reason behind his exit was the challenge of developing his character following the passing of showrunner Gary Glasberg in 2016. Since leaving NCIS, Henry has been seen in movies like A Gingerbread Romance in 2018 and Captain Marvel in 2019.
Every Star Who s Left NCIS Where Are They Now
Credit: Patrick Wymore/CBS
Maria Bello
Bello, who played Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane, left NCIS in 2021 after four seasons. She recently starred in 2023’s Beef.
Editor's P/S:
NCIS, a beloved crime drama, has witnessed a significant evolution in its cast over the years. Mark Harmon's departure as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 2021 marked a poignant moment for fans, but the character's presence remains within the NCIS universe.
The article provides an insightful glimpse into the post-NCIS careers of former cast members, highlighting their diverse endeavors and personal journeys. Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, and Cote de Pablo have all returned to the franchise in various capacities, while Pauley Perrette and Emily Wickersham have embarked on new paths. The article also sheds light on the controversies surrounding Michael Weatherly's behavior on Bull and Pauley Perrette's departure from NCIS, underscoring the importance of workplace safety and respect. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the evolving cast of NCIS and their respective trajectories after leaving the show.
