The dark whispers behind one of television's most popular shows.

NCIS actress Pauley Perrette has hinted at the true reason she left the hit show after 15 seasons of playing Abby Sciuto.

In her announcement last year, the fan favourite gave no reason for her departure, only saying how much she loves the character. But now Perrette has seemingly suggested on-set bullying and even “physical assaults” may have been behind the decision, in a series of cryptic Tweets.

On Saturday she put out a vague message: “I refused to go low, that’s why I’ve never told publicly what happened. But there are tabloid articles out there that are telling total lies about me.”

I refused to go low, that’s why I’ve never told publicly what happened. But there are tabloid articles out there that are telling total lies about me. If you believe them? Please leave me alone. You clearly don’t know me. (Sorry guys, had to be said)

— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) May 13, 2018

A few hours she added to her message, pondering “maybe I’m wrong for not ‘spilling the beans’ Telling the story, THE TRUTH,” and suggesting that she’s been keeping whatever may have been happening on set a secret to “protect my crew, jobs and so many people.”

The 49-year-old also used the word “crime”, suggesting something sinister occurred.

Maybe I’m wrong for not “spilling the beans” Telling the story, THE TRUTH. I feel I have to protect my crew, jobs and so many people. But at what cost? I.don’t know. Just know, I’m trying to do the right thing, but maybe silence isn’t the right thing about crime. I’m… Just… ?

— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) May 13, 2018

She then hinted at a conspiracy to cover up any alleged misconduct.

“There is a “machine’ keeping me silent, and feeding FALSE stories about me. A very rich, very powerful publicity “machine”. No morals, no obligation to truth, and I’m just left here, reading the lies, trying to protect my crew. Trying to remain calm. He did it.”

Perrette then suggested she’d been the victim of bullying and “multiple physical assaults”.

I’ve been supporting ant-bullying programs forever. But now I KNOW because it was ME! If it’s school or work, that you’re required to go to? It’s horrifying. I left. Multiple Physical Assaults. I REALLY get it now. Stay safe. Nothing is worth your safety. Tell someone.

— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) May 13, 2018

While Perrette gives no indication which member or members of the NCIS cast or crew may be responsible for workplace bullying, Radar has previously reported the star as having issues with fellow actors on set.

Last week, Radar reported the words of an “insider” who told them Perrette left over a feud with Mark Harmon, who plays the show’s lead, Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

According to the source, in October 2016 Harmon brought a rescue dog pitbull to the set and it bit a crew member, causing a gash that required stitches to mend.

When Harmon later brought the dog back to the set because he had no one to look after it, the source said Perrette was “furious” and from then on refused to work with the actor properly.

Perrette’s final episode of NCIS aired in the US on Tuesday and in Australia on Sunday night. She announced the decision to leave the show on Twitter last October.

“It is true that I am leaving NCIS after this season.”

“It was a decision I made last year. I hope everyone will love and enjoy everything Abby not only for the rest of the season but for the rest of the season but for everything she has given all of us for 16 years.

“All the love, all the laughter, all the inspiration … I love her as much as you do.”