When Cote de Pablo walked away from NCIS at the height of her character’s popularity, fans were stunned. Her portrayal of Ziva David — a fiercely intelligent, emotionally complex Mossad agent — had become a pillar of the show. Her chemistry with Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo was electric, and her character arc had earned deep admiration from audiences worldwide. So when she chose to leave the series in 2013, after eight seasons, it left a void that many felt would never quite be filled.
But years later, de Pablo spoke with rare candor about why stepping away from NCIS — despite the heartbreak and speculation — was ultimately one of the most meaningful decisions of her life. What she revealed wasn’t just a rationale, but a reflection on identity, growth, and the strange beauty of letting go.
A Risk She Had to Take
Cote de Pablo’s exit wasn’t driven by scandal or drama. Instead, it stemmed from something more internal — a feeling that the character of Ziva David wasn’t being fully honored in the scripts. Speaking during a rare interview at a fan event, de Pablo explained that the direction of her character had become troubling for her.
“I felt like the character was not being treated with the respect she deserved,” she said. “And that’s a hard thing to say, but it’s true. You have to protect your character. That’s your job.”
It was a risk. At the time, NCIS was one of the highest-rated dramas on television. Ziva was beloved. Leaving that kind of success, particularly in an industry as uncertain as Hollywood, could have meant fading into obscurity.
But to de Pablo, walking away wasn’t about risking her career — it was about respecting herself.
The Quiet Strength of Saying No
Years later, de Pablo reflected on the decision with a deep sense of peace.
In one of the most poignant moments in her interviews since leaving, she said:
“The most beautiful thing about quitting NCIS was rediscovering who I was without it.”
That sentence captured something rare and vulnerable. For almost a decade, her life had been tied up in Ziva’s world. The hours were grueling, the fame consuming. And while she was grateful for the success NCIS brought her, it also blurred the lines between actress and character.
“People would call me Ziva on the street. They still do,” she said. “And that’s beautiful — it means I did my job well. But when you live someone else’s story for so long, you sometimes forget to write your own.”
Leaving the show gave her space. Space to breathe. Space to travel, reconnect with family, and rediscover her passion for music and stage. It allowed her to listen again — not to scripts or producers, but to herself.
The Return No One Expected
Despite her graceful exit, Cote de Pablo never closed the door on NCIS completely. In 2019, she shocked fans by returning in the Season 16 finale — a brief but powerful reappearance that reignited speculation about Ziva and Tony’s story.
“I never said I wouldn’t come back,” she reminded fans. “I just needed the timing to be right. And the story had to honor who Ziva really was.”
Her return was brief but meaningful. It was also on her terms — a full-circle moment for a character and an actress who had both evolved.
Though her reappearance didn’t turn into a permanent role, it gave fans closure and reminded the world why Cote de Pablo’s portrayal of Ziva remains one of the most beloved in TV history.
A Life Beyond Ziva
In the time since her departure, de Pablo has taken on various creative projects — some in acting, others behind the scenes. She co-produced MIA, a CBS pilot she developed with Michael Weatherly, and has continued to explore theater and music, two of her early passions.
She’s also been careful not to chase the spotlight. Instead, her path has been deliberate and deeply personal — guided not by fame, but by authenticity.
“I’m not in a rush to do everything,” she once said. “I like roles that speak to me. I like disappearing for a while and then coming back when it feels right.”
That kind of patience — that grounded confidence — is rare in Hollywood. And it’s part of what makes de Pablo’s story so compelling. In an industry obsessed with staying visible, she found strength in stepping away.
What Ziva Gave Her — And What She Gave Back
Though Cote de Pablo may have left NCIS, Ziva David remains etched into the landscape of modern television. Her character was groundbreaking — a multilingual, non-American, female intelligence agent who was equal parts warrior and survivor.
“She wasn’t just tough,” de Pablo once said. “She was vulnerable. She was broken. But she kept going.”
It’s not hard to draw parallels between Ziva’s resilience and de Pablo’s own journey. Both women took bold steps. Both risked being misunderstood. And both proved that sometimes, walking away is the bravest thing you can do.
The Legacy of Choosing Yourself
Cote de Pablo’s story is not just about leaving a show — it’s about reclaiming identity in an industry that often blurs it. Her decision to leave NCIS was painful, both for her and the fans. But in the years since, she’s shown that saying no to something — even something good — can be the key to unlocking something even better.
The most beautiful thing about quitting NCIS?
She found herself again.
And in doing so, she reminded us all that the most powerful stories aren’t just the ones we tell — they’re the ones we choose to live.
