Sasha Alexander, beloved for her role as Caitlin Todd on NCIS, left the show after season 2 due to the grueling demands of a network TV schedule, which required filming 24 episodes over nearly 11 months a year with long daily hours.

While fans were devastated when Kate was killed off by Mossad double-agent Ari Haswari in the season 2 finale, Alexander explained in a 2012 TV Guide interview that stepping away was necessary for her well-being and future. She emphasized the importance of balancing her creative passions with family life, saying she didn’t want to wake up in her forties feeling she had missed out. Though she’s gone on to memorable roles in Rizzoli & Isles, Shameless, and Dawson’s Creek, fans still miss Kate’s presence on NCIS and hope for her return in a flashback or dream sequence for closure.