“When Cote De Pablo initially joined NCIS in season three as Special Agent Ziva David, fans were filled with a blend of excitement and uncertainty. However, the Chilean-American actress swiftly endeared herself to audiences, becoming a cherished mainstay of the show for over eight years. Thus, when she unexpectedly departed in 2013, fans were left perplexed and yearning for explanations.
Initially, De Pablo remained guarded about her reasons for leaving. However, in 2016, she finally opened up about her decision, citing dissatisfaction with the trajectory of her character. She disclosed, ‘Regrettably, due to various factors such as creative differences and unsatisfactory scripts, I opted not to return to NCIS.’
Expressing her profound attachment to Ziva, she lamented, ‘I adore this character! I dedicated eight years to shaping Ziva, and when I felt she wasn’t being treated with the respect she deserved… plans to send her back to Israel and portray her as a despondent woman emerged. I deemed it unfair.’
Her abrupt departure left her co-star, David McCallum, bewildered and disheartened. He expressed his frustration, stating, ‘It was frustrating and upsetting to see someone just walk out on us. I couldn’t comprehend how a leading actress in a globally recognized show would abruptly leave.’
While CBS executives expressed reluctance to bid her farewell, they ultimately honored De Pablo’s decision. Despite her initial statement, she did make guest appearances in seasons 16 and 17. Subsequently, in a 2019 USA Today article, she clarified her earlier remarks, stating, ‘I believe my previous statement was misconstrued. I didn’t depart because I desired to or because I was fatigued. I didn’t truly have a say.’
De Pablo’s departure and subsequent return sparked intense discussions among fans, yet her impact on NCIS remains undeniable.”
