NCIS star Cote de Pablo became a household name for many when she joined season three of the iconic crime show as Ziva David, but the Hollywood star almost missed out on the show entirely.
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Joining the ensemble program in 2005, NCIS actress Cote de Pablo rode the show’s popularity heights until her departure in 2013, which many saw as the end of an era as her leading co-stars gradually followed suit. Nevertheless, Cote nearly never had the chance to play the part despite her enormous reputation as the former Mossad spy since some program executives need more persuasion when she initially went for an audition.
After Sasha Alexander (Caitlin Todd) left the series in season three, NCIS was in desperate need of a new female lead and casting director Susan Bluestein felt she found a perfect fit when she brought in Cote, who she had been a longtime fan of from the series The Jury.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in celebration of NCIS’ 20th anniversary, the casting director insisted there was also “instantaneous” chemistry between Cote and NCIS star Michael Weatherly.
Head of casting Peter Golden was convinced by the actress within seconds, recalling: “I remember she walked in the room, and we all were like; ‘Oh, my God, who is this woman?’ Which doesn’t happen now that much at network tests.”
Sadly, Peter claims that Donald P. Bellisario, the show’s creator, wasn’t “100 percent on board right away.” Although the Hollywood celebrity appeared to be loved by Donald as an actress, it is said that he had another candidate in mind for the Ziva role that “felt as righter.”
Fortunately for Cote, she had won over so many other show executives that Donald was eventually persuaded by his own associates. Executive producer Mark Horowitz pointed out that audiences and Ziva experienced a similar scenario, admitting that her initial popularity wasn’t what many had anticipated.
However, he added: “It took time for the audience to be involved in the relationship between her and Tony and really appreciate her kick**s status.”
Cote ultimately left the show in 2013 leaving fans distraught but she also made a surprise return in 2019 for season 17, giving viewers a unique insight into Ziva’s life away from the NCIS team and providing some extra closure to her character arc.
The 44-year-old’s original exit also sparked a slew of leading departures over the next few years, including Michael Weatherly in 2015, Pauley Perrette in 2018 and Mark Harmon in 2021.