Fans were shocked when Cote de Pablo, who played the beloved Ziva David, walked away from NCIS at the height of the show’s popularity. But the truth behind her departure — and surprising return six years later — finally came to light.
Cote de Pablo left NCIS in 2013, explaining that she wasn’t happy with how her character was being treated in the script. She wanted more respect for Ziva’s legacy and was unwilling to continue if the storytelling didn’t align with her values. Her exit left viewers heartbroken, and many wondered if she would ever come back.
In 2019, after six long years, Cote shocked everyone by returning to NCIS, explaining that the timing, storyline, and respect for her character finally felt right. Fans were thrilled to see Ziva back on screen, even if only for a few episodes — proving that sometimes, standing your ground pays off.
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Rauch revealed that during their time on set, Kaley often battled nerves before tapings and even had her own calming rituals backstage just to get through certain scenes. “She hid it well,” Melissa said, “but now I think she’s ready for people to know how much she’s overcome to be who she is today.”
Fans are now seeing Kaley in a whole new light—admiring not just her talent, but her strength in facing something so personal without ever letting it dim her shine.
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