Cote de Pablo was a pivotal figure on NCIS, and while it’s hard to imagine the NCIS universe without her, she almost didn’t land the role of Ziva David. De Pablo portrayed the character from seasons 3 to 11, staying well beyond her initial six-year contract. Ziva quickly became one of the most beloved characters in NCIS history, so much so that the franchise created a spinoff centered on her life: NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
The original NCIS characters, Ziva David and Anthony DiNozzo, earned their spinoff largely due to their undeniable chemistry on the flagship series. Over many seasons, their relationship captivated fans, but a new podcast hosted by NCIS stars, Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch, revealed that some crucial moments between the characters happened off-screen and significantly shaped their dynamic. The podcast also disclosed that Cote de Pablo initially believed her chances of getting the role were slim—a twist of fate that could have drastically changed the course of NCIS history.
