Mark Harmon’s Doubts: The Shocking Truth About Cote de Pablo’s NCIS Casting!
NCIS star Mark Harmon had already built strong connections with his co-stars, so when the idea of adding another member to the team was brought up, he wasn’t entirely convinced it was a good move.
Mark Harmon Quickly Warmed Up to Cote de Pablo
Harmon admitted that he was initially hesitant about adding a new cast member to NCIS. Cote de Pablo, who played Ziva David, joined the show in its third season in 2005. By that time, Harmon had developed a solid rapport with his castmates, including Michael Weatherly and Pauley Perrette. When the showrunners suggested introducing a new character, Harmon approached the idea with caution.
“Chemistry is a big intangible in television,” Harmon once shared with Carnegie Mellon. “We had made some progress over the past two years, and the fact that we were replacing a major character made us all a little concerned.”
However, Harmon’s concerns began to fade when he saw de Pablo in action. Known for his strong work ethic, Harmon was impressed by her dedication and preparedness. It didn’t take long for him to realize that she would be a great addition to the team.
“Before I ever knew her, I remember seeing her on the squad room set, and I watched her walk from Point A to Point B after a shot. I watched her tousle the head of the dolly grip and hug the director of photography and continue right on. It’s just what she does, who she is,” Harmon said. “Cote did nothing other than what she’d do every day.”
Cote de Pablo Found Out She Was Cast in NCIS After Refusing a Ride Home with Michael Weatherly
When Cote de Pablo walked into her audition for NCIS, she already felt the pressure. She wasn’t aware of the strong impression she’d made on NCIS creator Donald Bellisario, who was impressed by her audition tape. Her confidence wavered slightly when she met another actor auditioning for the role of Ziva David, who revealed that it was her 12th audition for the part.
Michael Weatherly’s approach to the audition didn’t make things easier for de Pablo. Known for his improvisational skills, Weatherly famously went off script during their screen test, catching de Pablo off guard.
“Coming from theater, my training is that you respect the words, and you say it as it is,” de Pablo explained.
Despite Weatherly’s unexpected improvisation, de Pablo remained composed. “I dismissed him completely,” she recalled. “My primary thought was, ‘Don’t let this guy get physically close to you.’ And, at that moment, everybody in the room started laughing and thought it was the funniest thing in the world because the chemistry between the two characters was perfect.”
According to then-NCIS producer Charles Floyd Johnson, it was this interaction with Weatherly that ultimately secured de Pablo the role.
“When you get actors who really listen and respond organically in the moment to what they’re hearing, sometimes magic happens,” Johnson said. “They really seemed to get that immediately, and that doesn’t always happen.”
After the audition, Bellisario asked Weatherly to drive de Pablo home. After she politely declined several times, Bellisario finally revealed the good news.
“Damn it,” Bellisario said. “This is not the way I wanted to say it, but you got the job. I just need you to get familiar with Michael Weatherly.”
The car ride home turned out to be a positive experience for both de Pablo and Weatherly, as it gave them a chance to bond.
“Initially, I thought, ‘Wow, this is a frosty, unfriendly, almost mean girl,’” Weatherly said. “But by the end of it, I dropped her off and thought, ‘Wow, she’s kind of sweet deep down.’ Cote, in her intimate way, she gets very close to you when she talks, and you get a little googly-eyed.”
