Why Did Cote De Pablo Leave NCIS? What’s the Real Reason for Her Departure?

Cote de Pablo’s exit from “NCIS” came as a shock to fans and remained a divisive topic for a long time. Her portrayal of Ziva David, an Israeli Mossad agent, quickly made her a beloved character on the show. Ziva was admired for her beauty, toughness, and the depth she brought to her role, as well as her relationship with Tony DiNozzo, portrayed by Michael Weatherly.

The decision for de Pablo to leave “NCIS” was revealed during Season 11, and the network’s statement at the time was cryptic, leaving fans frustrated. CBS mentioned their respect for her decision and the character but provided few details about her departure. Ziva’s character hadn’t shown any signs of an impending exit, which left fans baffled.

Cote de Pablo, who moved to the United States from Chile at a young age, had become an inspiration for Latin-American women with her rise to fame and her portrayal of Ziva. She was an icon and a testament to the potential for people of various ethnicities in the entertainment industry.

It took nearly three years for de Pablo to publicly disclose the real reason behind her abrupt exit. During a public appearance, she candidly revealed that she left because she felt the character of Ziva was not being treated with the respect she deserved. She didn’t want to see Ziva’s character become a sad, miserable woman, and she didn’t think it was fair to the women who watched and followed the show. This revelation provided fans with some closure and an understanding of her decision.

Since leaving “NCIS,” Cote de Pablo has continued her acting career, appearing in various projects, including the biographical survival drama “The 33” and a miniseries titled “The Dovekeepers.” She also co-produced a show called “M.I.A” with Michael Weatherly. While she made a brief return as Ziva for four episodes in Season 17 of “NCIS,” fans have never regretted her decision to leave, knowing the personal reasons behind it.