When Cote De Pablo joined “NCIS” in season three as Special Agent Ziva David, fans were thrilled yet wary of the new addition. However, the Chilean-American actress quickly won hearts and stayed for over eight years. So, when she suddenly exited in 2013, viewers were left puzzled and curious about her departure.
Initially tight-lipped about her reasons, Cote finally opened up in 2016, citing dissatisfaction with the show’s direction for her character. She revealed, “Due to political disagreements and unsatisfactory scripts, I chose not to return to NCIS.”
Expressing her love for Ziva, she lamented the lack of respect for her character, saying, “I dedicated eight years to crafting Ziva, and when I felt she wasn’t being treated fairly…they planned to send her back to Israel as a miserable woman. I didn’t think it was right.”
Her exit left co-star David McCallum frustrated, saying, “It was upsetting to see someone just walk out on us. I couldn’t understand how a leading actress in a globally recognized show would abruptly leave.”
CBS executives expressed reluctance to see her go but ultimately respected her decision. Despite her initial statement, Cote returned for guest appearances in seasons 16 and 17. In 2019, she clarified, “I didn’t leave because I wanted to or because I was tired. I didn’t really have a choice.”
Cote’s departure and subsequent returns sparked intense fan debate, but her impact on “NCIS” remains undeniable.