Why Did Jennifer Esposito Exit ‘NCIS’ Ahead Of Season 15 Premiere?

“NCIS” Season 15 will no longer feature Jennifer Esposito as Special Agent Alexandra “Alex” Quinn.

According to Deadline, Esposito will be leaving the series after just one season. The actress was cast as a series regular ahead of the Season 14 premiere last year. Alex was an instructor at the Law Enforcement Training Center, but she was lured back into field work by Gibbs (Mark Harmon).

Read: McGee and Delilah’s wedding gets stalled in “NCIS” Season 14, episode 23

Former “NCIS” showrunner Gary Glasberg came up with the idea of Alex for the series in September prior to his death. However, the show is going in a new creative direction for Season 15 where Alex is no longer needed. In the final two episodes of Season 14, Alex was part of the few cliffhangers in the installment. She received a phone call from her mother, and by the looks of it, this will have something to do with her absence in Season 15.

Following her exit from the hit CBS series, Esposito released a statement to the publication expressing her gratitude to the cast and crew of “NCIS.” “It was a great experience. I could not have asked for a better opportunity than to work with the ‘NCIS’ cast and producers,” she said.

According to Entertainment Weekly, there is still no word from the creators and execs of “NCIS” and CBS if Esposito could reprise her role as a guest star or a recurring character.

Meanwhile, Esposito previously left CBS’ “Blue Bloods” after starring in the series for over two years. At the time, the actress and the network faced a dispute over Esposito’s reduced working time on set due to her Celiac disease. The actress’ other TV credits include a recurring role in ABC’s “Mistresses” and appearances in “Spin City,” “Samantha Who?,” “Taxi Brooklyn,” “Related,” “The City” and more.

Esposito currently stars in Showtime’s “The Affair” as Nina Solloway. She also recently booked a co-starring role opposite John Travolta in “Speed Kills.” John Luessenhop’s “Speed Kills” is based on the real life story of speedboat racing champion Don Aronow. Esposito will play the role of Aronow’s wife.

Esposito has also written two books, “Jennifer’s Way” and “Jennifer’s Way Kitchen.” The latter will be released in the United States in September.

“NCIS” Season 15 will premiere on CBS on Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. EDT.