After more than 20 seasons, NCIS is gearing up for its 22nd season on the 2024 TV schedule. Over the years, the show has seen many cast members come and go, but two of its most iconic stars remain Sean Murray, still part of the main cast, and Cote de Pablo, who was a series regular from Season 3 to the beginning of Season 11. As NCIS has evolved from its origins as a JAG spin-off, Murray and de Pablo recently reflected on why Season 3 holds a special place in their hearts.
Why Cote de Pablo Cherishes NCIS Season 3
Cote de Pablo fondly remembers Season 3 because it marked her debut as Ziva David. While discussing her early days on the show with Sean Murray and Michael Weatherly on the podcast Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch, de Pablo shared how much she enjoyed working with the cast and crew during that time:
“Season 3 has a special place in my heart. First of all, it was my first season. But it was truly magical. There were times I’d go home and think, ‘I can’t believe I get paid for this.’ It was a time when everything just felt so organic, and we were finding these wonderful moments together.”
Despite a rocky start—where de Pablo initially thought Weatherly was trying to “sabotage” her audition—she quickly found her groove. Although her exit from the show wasn’t ideal, she eventually returned for a cameo in the Season 16 finale and a recurring role in Season 17. Now, she and Weatherly are teaming up for their own spin-off, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, set to stream exclusively on Paramount+.
Why Sean Murray Holds NCIS Season 3 in High Regard
Sean Murray, who first appeared in NCIS during Season 1 before becoming a regular, also looks back at Season 3 with fondness. For him, this season marked a turning point where the show began to find its identity. As Murray explained:
“Season 3 was special because, in the first two seasons, we were still figuring things out. We realized our strength was in the characters, not just the procedural elements. My character, McGee, grew along with the show, and as Tony’s character evolved, it allowed McGee to step up.”
Later in the podcast, de Pablo asked Murray if NCIS always felt like a family to him. He admitted that Season 3 was when that feeling really started to take hold, especially after de Pablo joined the cast:
“After you arrived, it started feeling much more like a family. I swear, it’s not just because you’re standing in front of me. I love Sasha Alexander, but it was just the timing of everything.”
Murray’s comments reflect the importance of the character dynamics that began to take shape in Season 3, which also introduced Lauren Holly’s Jenny Shepard, adding a fresh dynamic with Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While Holly’s time on the show was brief, ending in Season 5, her character’s impact, like de Pablo’s, was significant.
As NCIS prepares to premiere its 22nd season on Monday, October 14, fans can also look forward to the prequel NCIS: Origins, which follows a young Gibbs, airing immediately afterward. Additionally, NCIS: Tony & Ziva will be coming to Paramount+, and NCIS: Sydney is returning for a second season. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting new chapters in the NCIS franchise.
