NCIS fans were left reeling in 2013 when Cote de Pablo, who played the beloved character Ziva David, made an unexpected departure from the show. Her exit shocked not only the audience but also her fellow cast members, who learned of the news mere minutes before it became public. According to Pauley Perrette, who portrayed the quirky forensic scientist Abby Sciuto, the announcement blindsided the cast.
Speaking to E! News at the time, Perrette revealed, “It was huge news to us. I found out literally 20 minutes before it was released in the press. But we love her. She’s our friend. She had a personal decision to make. No one wanted her to leave. There was no drama…there really isn’t much to tell. But we love her, we respect her, and that’s what happened.”
De Pablo had starred as Ziva David, a tough and fiercely skilled former Mossad officer turned NCIS agent, for eight seasons. Known for her sharp wit and complex backstory, Ziva was the daughter of Mossad director Eli David and sister to Tali David, with her character’s arc including a memorable romance with fellow agent Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). Ziva’s journey came to a tragic end in an explosion in Israel, leaving fans devastated.
Initially citing “undisclosed reasons” for her departure, de Pablo later opened up during a 2016 Q&A at Babson College in Massachusetts. Reflecting on her decision, she shared, “I worked eight years crafting this character and loving her. I felt, or perceived, that the character was not being treated with the respect that I thought she deserved. So no money in the world [could make me stay]. Unless someone can really write something fantastic, I won’t go back.”
Her exit remains a significant moment in NCIS history, leaving a lasting impact on fans and the show’s legacy.
