Bebe Neuwirth Exits CBS Drama Series ‘Madam Secretary’

 

Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord’s Chief of Staff Nadine Tolliver is leaving the State Department — for good. The Emmy and Tony Award winning Broadway actress, Bebe Neuwirth announced Sunday night in a series of tweets that she has decided to leave CBS' Madam Secretary. Neuwirth has been a series regular since the political drama premiered in 2014.

 

During Sunday night’s episode, Nadine was told by her son, Roman (Ethan Peck), that she was going to be a grandma. In light of the Elizabeth & Co. shutdown, Roman then asked whether she could help with a travel problem for his expectant girlfriend to relocate with him to the Bay Area. Nadine went before Homeland Security and the problem was solved.

 

But after initially asking for leave to spend time with her family, Nadine decided her leave would become permanent.

“You’re right. I won’t be coming back from that leave. I love public service, but it’s gotten so vicious,” she told Elizabeth (Téa Leoni). “Somehow, we’ve become our own worst enemy. And I don’t want to spend the rest of my career fighting.”

 

Bebe Neuwirth has left “Madam Secretary” after 70-plus episodes. The series regular actress thanked CBS early this morning on Twitter for letting her out of their contract.

Neuwirth, who played chief of staff Nadine Tolliver since the show launched in 2014, was written out of the drama last night. The character left politics to be closer to her son and soon-to-be grandchild.