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'NCIS': Sasha Alexander happy she opted out when she did
Sasha Alexander isn't regretting her "NCIS" exit as she starts a new series.The actress left in a memorably shocking way as Special Agent Caitlin Todd, who took a terrorist-fired bullet in the head in the second-season finale of the CBS series, which now tops the weekly ratings regularly. As she prepares to team with Angie Harmon in the TNT crime drama "Rizzoli & Isles" starting Monday, July 12, Alexander remains satisfied to have opted out of "NCIS" when she did.
"The show did well from the very beginning," she tells Zap2it. "We were consistent, but for whatever reason, it didn't get press coverage then. I always thought it was a great show. I had just finished doing a couple of other series for CBS and [network president and CEO] Les Moonves, and he said, 'Come do this show.'
"I'm not surprised" at how "NCIS" is doing now, Alexander adds. "It travels really well, no matter what country it's shown in. There's a fun quality to it, and people can relate to that. To me, 'NCIS' has always been a bit of a comic book.
"Do I regret leaving? I absolutely don't, for a million reasons that I've never spoken out about ... for a million reasons that I can't. I had a wonderful time doing it for two years, though."
Soon to be seen as Boston medical examiner Maura Isles opposite Harmon's police detective Jane Rizzoli, creations of best-selling author Tess Gerritsen, Alexander also has a distinctive role in real life.
She's the daughter-in-law of screen legend Sophia Loren, whom Alexander terms "everything people think she is, and more. She is an incredible inspiration to me, and a beautiful mother to my husband (Edoardo Ponti) and to me as well ... plus, she's a wonderful grandmother to my daughter. I have tremendous admiration for her."
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Photo credit: FilmMagic
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While I still like NCIS the first two seasons with Agent Todd are my favorite.
The Ziva character isn't bad, but I miss "Kate" every time I watch the show. Sacha has always suggested there were reasons she couldn't tell for leaving the show, it's too bad she won't share with us.
Im glad to see that there are some others that feel the way i do. I really liked Sasha's portrayal of Agent Todd, much more than Cote's Ziva David. I still watch the show for Gibbs,Abby, and McGee; but i do miss Sasha. Hope her new show with Angie Harmon (which i will definetely watch)does well; but Harmon doesnt have a good track record.
Angie and Sasha!! Can't wait!
Whatever her reasons for leaving, she has a track record of leaving a show just as people are beginning to like her in her role. Dawson's Creek, NCIS. Yes, Sasha, people are crap. Terri Hatcher had to do a stripper pole scene with a cracked rib. If you don't have what it takes to be in hollywood, I'm sure there's an opening at your local McDonalds.
But hey, I may be too hard on you my dear.
And there is only ONE Terri Hatcher.
Scully Fan the reason she left Dawson's Creek was because their budget was cut and then the show was cancel
@Michael
Dawson's Creek was not cancelled until two seasons after she left. I liked both Kate and Ziva. Sasha wanted to leave it was her choice.
IT does kinda of make you wonder what would she means by comic book
Ziva is way better than Kate, not even comparable. I am much happier with the show post Kate then when she was around.
Glad she made the bad call she did, enjoy your TNT show vs one of the top shows on TV.
As if she's going to say she's unhappy for leaving a highly successful show. I don't think so especially when she's promoting her new show.
I thought she was good as Kate, but so is Cote as Ziva. In fact the show has improved over time but I think this is due to the evolution of the Gibbs character, and the NCIS-verse.