NCIS, which has many spinoffs and 20 seasons and counting, has had many performers leave. However, Cote de Pablo’s departure and return impacted supporters.
NCIS, the popular naval/police procedural, said goodbye to Cote de Pablo in 2013, but brought her back six years later.
Over the course of its 20 seasons, NCIS has said farewell to a number of cast members, including Sasha Alexander (who played Kate Todd in seasons 1 and 2).
Alexander’s departure from the show is what prompted de Pablo’s insertion, a decision that fans originally resisted because Kate swiftly became a cherished character.
However, de Pablo’s Ziva David was well received, and she remained a series regular for eight years. After her half-brother Ari Haswari murd3rs Kate, Ziva joins the show as a control officer.
She goes through several harrowing experiences, like battling to gain acceptance at NCIS, being falsely accused of murd3r, quitting her job and working covertly in Morocco only to be injured in an explosion, and dealing with familial problems.
The significance of Ziva’s incarceration in Somalia as NCIS’ most significant tale, as well as the cultural relevance of an Israeli lead character, make her departure all the more sad, and her return all the more exhilarating.
Cote De Pablo left NCIS because she was dissatisfied with her character.
During her tenure as Ziva, de Pablo’s portrayal of this strong Israeli lady had a significant cultural impact. Her appearance as a key cast member on a popular American television show drew attention to the importance of ensuring equitable representation in the media.
However, when Ziva’s trajectory no longer served her purpose, de Pablo quit the program, marking Ziva’s original last appearance in season 11.
De Pablo describes the strategy for Ziva prior to her departure in a 2016 Q&A. “They were going to send her back to Israel and make her a miserable, unfortunate woman.” ‘Well, what do I leave all the women who have watched and followed the show for so long?’ I said. And that didn’t sit well with me.” Given the character’s popularity, the acclaim for Ziva’s strong, trustworthy, and complex nature, and her position in Israeli-Jewish and women’s depiction, de Pablo’s decision to quit is understandable.
Cote De Pablo was persuaded to return for NCIS Season 17 by the producers.
In 2019, De Pablo clarifies that some of what was said in the 2016 Q&A was taken out of context. “I didn’t leave because I wanted to, because I was prepared, or because I was tired.” “I didn’t have much of a choice,” she adds (via USA Today).
Her affection for the character and the production making room for her comeback by faking Ziva’s death makes her return all the more satisfying. Executive producers Frank Cardea and Steven Binder contacted de Pablo, and the debate concerning Ziva’s comeback in season 17 began, with a focus on developing a plausible rationale for her return, especially warning Gibbs of a threat.
De Pablo recalls her return with fondness, stating, “It really felt like just slipping back into a really comfortable slipper.” After fighting Sahar, a Ham4s breakaway group member seeking vengeance for Ari’s death, Ziva leaves to try to reconcile with Tony and her daughter Tali. Despite fans’ aspirations for an onscreen reunion with Ziva’s family, NCIS bringing de Pablo back for a few episodes provides more closure for Ziva’s journey.
