Cote de Pablo Talks About Her Return to NCIS and the Secret to Feeling Beautiful
Cote de Pablo is making a notable return as she reprises her role as Ziva David in the much-anticipated spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which premiered on September 4 on Paramount+. This new chapter sees her reunite with co-star Michael Weatherly as they continue a story that fans have eagerly awaited.
Set in Paris, the series explores Ziva’s new life with Tony and their daughter, following a narrative twist that saw her presumed dead for several years. This marks de Pablo’s first significant return to her iconic character since she departed NCIS in 2013. The enthusiasm surrounding the show is evident, as the trailer amassed over 93 million views within its first week, prompting de Pablo to describe the experience as “surreal.”
"It’s kind of surreal. Michael and I pinch ourselves. We’ve never felt this level of support. When we were on the mothership, it was a massive hit, but we were so busy making it that we really missed out on the fan interaction," she explained. “This is at another level. The amount of expectation and love from fans is overwhelming, and we’re so grateful for it."
Reflecting on how the project came to fruition, de Pablo recalled a podcast, An NCIS Rewatch, which she and Weatherly hosted in early 2024. "We were re-watching all of that and talking about all of these characters. By the time we got to actually making the show, we were both nervous and excited," she said. "This was an opportunity to finally answer all the questions that fans have had for so many years."
The series aims to delve into the dynamics of Ziva and Tony’s relationship beyond the confines of their agency roles. "We wanted to take it outside of the agency structure, which had limited our exploration of their relationship," de Pablo noted. The narrative takes off as Tony journeys to Paris, where the characters began their new life.
De Pablo emphasized the shift from network television to streaming services, noting the differences in audience engagement. "In the past, fans would be counting down the minutes until a show aired. Now, viewers can watch at their convenience, which is a completely different experience,” she remarked.
As filming progresses, de Pablo also shared insights into her routine on set. "My makeup artist would do this magical send-off at the end of the day with hot towels and various products," she said, underscoring her commitment to maintaining well-being through proper sleep and diet.
Cote de Pablo’s return to her beloved character reflects not just a revival but a deeper exploration of the connections that fans have cherished for years, as the series sets out to answer lingering questions and unveil new narratives.
