A new update just killed the easiest and arguably the best way for Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto to return to the NCIS franchise. CBS’ TV universe isn’t new to characters leaving. The Major Case Response Team, in particular, has seen its fair share of departures, with NCIS season 21 no longer having any original members. With that, comebacks are also nothing unique. Several people who have once left somehow find their way back for all kinds of reasons. More than two years after Mark Harmon’s exit, there are still conversations about when Leroy Jethro Gibbs will return to Navy Yard.

CBS has already brought back key members of what’s widely known as Gibbs’ best NCIS team. Ziva David reunited with Gibbs for a mini-arc in season 17, while Tony DiNozzo came back for Ducky Mallard’s special tribute episode in season 21. One character who has yet to step her foot back in the MCRT bullpen is Abby. NCIS’ original forensic scientist and computer genius hasn’t reunited with her old co-workers since leaving the agency in season 15. Briefly, the path of Abby’s NCIS return was clear, but now, a new update just killed it.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva Cast Makes Abby’s Return Unlikely

Tony & Ziva Have An Established Support System In Europe

Both Ziva and Tony returned to MCRT, but Abby could have returned to the NCIS franchise via their spinoff. When NCIS: Tony & Ziva was announced, one of the pertinent details about it was that the famed couple would be on the run across Europe. That means that they would be on the defensive end of the storytelling and would be needing help from allies, especially familiar ones. That’s where Abby, who is presumed to still be based in the United Kingdom, could come in. Logistically, she was the perfect candidate to join NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

With the rest of NCIS: Tony & Ziva‘s cast now announced, however, this scenario has become unlikely. The former MCRT members have an ensemble of experts helping them navigate the ordeal. That includes Maximilian Osinski as Boris, a “Russian ex-pat and a brilliant computer hacker.” He effectively fills the spot that Abby would occupy in Tony & Ziva’s European squad. Aside from the narrative, NCIS: Tony & Ziva was also Perrette’s simplest path back to the franchise that had the smallest chance of him having to work with Mark Harmon again, which was mandatory considering their past conflict.

How Abby Can Still Be Reunited With Tony & Ziva In Their NCIS Spinoff

Abby Can Still Be Tony & Ziva’s Go-To Person For One Particular Job

Aside from Abby’s computer skills, however, she also has one particular skill set that could be helpful to Tony & Ziva. Perrette’s character was also a revered forensic scientist, which can help the couple in figuring out who exactly they are going after. However, instead of a regular slot in the cast, this will likely only be a special role for her. Considering the nature of NCIS: Tony & Ziva, she won’t have a lab like she did back in Navy Yard. In any case, having this option for her NCIS comeback is better than not having anything.