It’s hard to imagine how different the show could have been.
Over the years, NCIS has experienced numerous cast changes, with some departures being mourned and new arrivals taking time to be embraced by fans. Even the most beloved characters today faced initial skepticism from viewers, and Ziva David was no exception.
Currently, Cote de Pablo (Ziva) and Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo) form one of the most popular duos on NCIS. Knowing that their dynamic almost didn’t happen makes fans even more grateful that it did.
### When Did Ziva First Appear on NCIS?
Ziva David joined NCIS at the start of season 3, following her half-brother’s brutal murder of agent Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander). Alexander’s departure deeply disappointed the fanbase, making it challenging for viewers to immediately accept the new lead.
Winning over fans wasn’t the only challenge Cote de Pablo faced to succeed as Ziva. Initially, she auditioned with a Czech accent to match the role’s description of a European lead. Additionally, reading alongside Michael Weatherly, she had to navigate his unpredictable sense of humor. On the podcast “Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch,” de Pablo and Weatherly discussed their journey to landing their roles. Unfamiliar with Tony DiNozzo’s character, de Pablo was surprised when Weatherly cupped her face and called her pretty in an improvised moment.
“I immediately perked up, and there was a moment there where it was Rage Against the Machine. It was that moment, and then it got really serious for me. It was after that moment that I saw a complete switch in the room, and they started thinking whatever was going on was really funny,” she shared.
The dynamic between Tony and Ziva, oscillating from mutual annoyance to undeniable attraction, endeared them to viewers. Despite the writers keeping their relationship ambiguous, the chemistry between the actors made Tiva a favorite ship among fans.
Now, Tiva fans can rejoice as NCIS: Tony & Ziva begins filming this summer. Stay tuned for news and behind-the-scenes updates on the show’s most anticipated spinoff.