NCIS executive producer Mark Horowitz has revealed the extraordinary lengths taken to keep Cote de Pablo’s surprise return to the show a secret. Cote, who played Ziva David, a former Israeli Mossad officer, captivated fans during her eight-season run from season 3 to 11. While her character was presumed dead after a devastating explosion, viewers were stunned when Ziva made a jaw-dropping cameo in the final moments of the season 16 finale.
At an Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch event, Horowitz detailed the meticulous planning behind the shocking twist. “We were very good at keeping secrets,” he shared, explaining that even many cast and crew members were kept in the dark. To preserve the surprise, the scene was never officially published, and the script only existed on a single piece of paper. Only about a dozen people knew of the plan, and stringent secrecy protocols—dubbed “Fight Club rules”—were enforced.
“You couldn’t talk to anyone—your spouse, your kids, your friends at the bar, nobody,” Horowitz revealed, adding that this strategy had been in place since Kate’s shocking rooftop death in season 2.
The secrecy paid off in spectacular fashion. Horowitz described the electric atmosphere on set during Cote’s return: “I forbid anyone from taking pictures, but I stood there at my camera. Suddenly, everything went quiet. From the distance came the sound of distinct boots echoing closer. Everyone turned to look, and from around the corner came Cote de Pablo. It was a magical moment.”
The intense preparation and secrecy made Ziva’s comeback one of the most unforgettable moments in NCIS history.
