Why Did Abby Leave NCIS? Pauley Perette's Disdain Over Mark Harmon Reportedly Reaches Beyond His Dog We haven't seen Abby, played by Pauley Perette, in a while, but many aren't still over her prospective return to make science interesting yet again. When NCIS first appeared in 2003, it introduced the world to an eccentric lab brat dressed in leather studs and a thick coat of black lipstick. The stereotype of science nerds was forever transformed for the better when Abby Sciuto first graced our screens with her pigtails and neck tattoos. Unfortunately, something changed prior to the premiere of the 16th season of NCIS. Pauley shocked viewers by declaring her resignation from the show on social media, in a step that sent the internet into a frenzy.