Mark Harmon 2018: Did ‘NCIS’ Season 16 Star’s Rumored Feud with Pauley Perrette Affect Series’s Ratings?

Mark Harmon and Pauley Perrette were said to be at odds and this eventually led to the latter’s exit from the long-running police procedural drama. And while “NCIS” season 16 was renewed and is airing already, it was reported that its viewership ratings have plummeted and this was allegedly due to the said actors’ feud.

According to Celebrity Insider, “NCIS” season 16’s pilot experienced a sharp drop of about 5 percent compared to last year’s and the figure continued to go down in the show’s second episode without Pauley Perrette. It was added that ratings could nosedive to the drama’s lowest record as the decline is not showing any signs of slowing down.

If this trend persists, “NCIS” season 16 is in danger of being axed despite the fact that Mark Harmon just inked a deal with CBS to act as Jethro Gibbs for more seasons ahead. The show needs to get good ratings in the upcoming episodes to secure a slot in the network's programming lineup next season.

In any case, Pauley Perrette left the show at the end of “NCIS” season 15. Her exit was controversial because it was reported that she decided to leave after a bitter conflict with Mark Harmon.

According to reports, their feud started when the 67-year-old actor’s dog bit a crew, which required several stitches to close up the wound. Although the incident was serious enough, Mark Harmon reportedly continued to bring his dog to the set and this reportedly made Pauley Perrette upset.

Mark Harmon is the show’s lead star and, according to the reports, no one from the crew or cast dared to tell him off for bringing his dog when filming, except Pauley Perrette. The actress later vented her frustration on social media and people believed that she was referring to her spat with the actor.

"I feel I have to protect my crew, jobs and so many people," she tweeted. “I'm trying to do the right thing, but maybe silence isn't the right thing about crime."