Mark Harmon’s Initial Hesitation and the Unlikely Bond with Cote de Pablo on NCIS
When NCIS star Mark Harmon heard that a new cast member might join the team, he wasn’t immediately convinced it was a good idea. By the time Cote de Pablo was introduced as Ziva David in Season 3 of the hit CBS series in 2005, Harmon had already built strong relationships with his co-stars, like Michael Weatherly and Pauley Perrette. The thought of adding a new dynamic to the group raised concerns for the actor, who understood how delicate the balance of on-screen chemistry could be.
“Chemistry is a big intangible in television,” Harmon once shared with Carnegie Mellon. He acknowledged that replacing a major character was always risky. Having worked hard to establish a cohesive unit over the first two seasons, Harmon and the rest of the cast were understandably cautious about disrupting that progress.
However, any doubts Harmon had were soon dispelled after witnessing de Pablo’s talent and dedication firsthand. Known for his own strong work ethic, Harmon quickly noticed that de Pablo matched his energy. Her commitment and professionalism made a lasting impression on him early on.
“Before I ever knew her, I remember seeing her in the squad room set,” Harmon recalled. “I watched her walk from Point A to Point B after a shot. I watched her tousle the head of the dolly grip, hug the director of photography, and continue right on. It’s just what she does, who she is. Cote did nothing other than what she’d do every day.” Harmon’s concerns faded as he saw that de Pablo’s personality and dedication made her a perfect fit for the team.
Cote de Pablo’s Unconventional Audition and Instant Chemistry with Michael Weatherly
Cote de Pablo’s journey to NCIS wasn’t without its own challenges. When she walked into the audition, she was aware of the stiff competition. What she didn’t know was that her audition tape had already made a strong impression on NCIS creator Donald Bellisario. However, her confidence wavered when she met another actress who revealed that she was attending her 12th audition for the role of Ziva David.
Adding to the pressure, Michael Weatherly—already established as Tony DiNozzo—decided to improvise during their audition together, catching de Pablo off guard. Coming from a theater background, where sticking to the script is paramount, de Pablo found Weatherly’s unexpected approach challenging. “Coming from theater, my training is that you respect the words, and you say it as it is,” de Pablo explained.
Despite the surprise, de Pablo remained unfazed. She dismissed Weatherly’s antics and kept her distance from him during the audition, which inadvertently led to a perfect on-screen chemistry that caught everyone’s attention. “My primary thought was, ‘Don’t let this guy get physically close to you,’” she recalled. Her instinctual reaction, coupled with Weatherly’s improvisation, created a dynamic that felt natural and compelling. The producers, including then-executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson, noticed the instant connection between the two actors.
“When you get actors who really listen and respond organically in the moment to what they’re hearing, sometimes magic happens,” Johnson said. “They really seemed to get that immediately, and that doesn’t always happen.”
De Pablo’s performance with Weatherly ultimately won her the role. Bellisario, impressed by what he saw, decided on the spot that de Pablo was the right choice. After the audition, he asked Weatherly to drive de Pablo home so the two could become more familiar with each other. De Pablo initially declined the offer a few times, but Bellisario couldn’t resist breaking the news. “Damn it,” he said, “This is not the way I wanted to say it, but you got the job. I just need you to get familiar with Michael Weatherly.”
The car ride home allowed de Pablo and Weatherly to bond, paving the way for their on-screen partnership. Weatherly’s first impression of de Pablo was that she seemed distant and perhaps a bit cold, but by the end of the ride, he realized there was more to her than met the eye. “Initially, I thought, ‘Wow, this is a frosty, unfriendly, almost mean girl,’” Weatherly admitted. “But by the end of it, I dropped her off and thought, ‘Wow, she’s kind of sweet deep down.’ Cote, in her intimate way, she gets very close to you when she talks, and you get a little googly-eyed.”
A Strong Partnership That Won Over Fans
Over time, de Pablo and Weatherly’s chemistry became one of the most beloved aspects of NCIS, solidifying Ziva David as an essential part of the team. Although Mark Harmon had initial reservations about adding another member to the cast, Cote de Pablo’s talent, dedication, and the natural rapport she developed with her co-stars proved that she was the perfect addition to the show.
