"NCIS" creator Donald P. Bellisario's exit from the show was not due to Mark Harmon pressuring him out, despite rumors. While Harmon and Bellisario had a falling out over the intense working conditions, fellow executives have denied that Harmon played a role in Bellisario's departure. Instead, CBS suggested that Bellisario work from a distance rather than sever ties completely. Bellisario himself supports this version of events, stating that he chose to step away from the series. Other members of the cast and crew also had issues with Bellisario's management style. After leaving "NCIS," Bellisario retired from the industry and later sued CBS over the spin-off show "NCIS: Los Angeles," which was settled privately.