Cote de Pablo Recalls ‘Heartfelt’ Goodbye to Michael Weatherly When She Left “NCIS” in 2013

Cote de Pablo Fondly Reminisces Farewell to Michael Weatherly Upon Exiting ‘NCIS’

Cote de Pablo recently shared heartfelt memories of bidding adieu to her co-star Michael Weatherly when she departed from the hit show ‘NCIS’ in 2013. The 45-year-old actress took on the role of Special Agent Ziva David in season 3 of the popular procedural drama back in 2005, portraying a former liaison for the Israeli government. Throughout her time on the series, her character shared a friendly and flirtatious dynamic with Weatherly’s character, Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo.

In 2013, de Pablo made the decision to leave the show, only to return for a brief stint of episodes six years later. Currently, the duo has reunited for the Paramount+ spin-off series, ‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’, where their characters embark on a thrilling journey across Europe after discovering they are being targeted alongside their daughter. Speaking at a screening event in New York City on September 3, the actress opened up about the emotional aspect of parting ways with Weatherly during her initial departure from the show.

Describing the farewell as a somber moment, de Pablo admitted that she and Weatherly hadn’t delved into discussions about that day much. She reflected on the depth of emotions during their final scenes together, revealing that a photo captured them walking back to the trailer hand in hand, with her head resting on his shoulder. Recalling the poignant moment, she expressed her gratitude and admiration for Weatherly, acknowledging him as a remarkable partner, friend, and teacher whose influence continued to resonate with her long after.

The long-running TV series, set to debut its 23rd season in October, first premiered on CBS in 2003, featuring a star-studded cast including Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Pauley Perrette, Sean Murray, and the late David McCallum. De Pablo joined the ensemble following Alexander’s departure, co-starring alongside Weatherly until his exit from the show in 2016, after which he made a brief return in 2024. Shedding light on her reason for leaving in a 2016 Q&A session, de Pablo expressed a deep love and dedication to her character, Ziva, emphasizing the importance of respect in character portrayal.

In the upcoming series ‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’, the narrative hints at a reconciliatory arc for the central characters, with the possibility of rekindling trust and a chance at an unconventional happily ever after amidst a high-octane adventure. The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Amita Suman, Maximilian Osinski, Lara Rossi, and others, promising an engaging and action-packed storyline beloved by fans of the original show.

As showrunner of the spin-off, John McNamara, along with de Pablo and Weatherly as executive producers, set the stage for a captivating and compelling narrative that is sure to captivate audiences. ‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’ premieres on September 4, releasing three episodes on Paramount+. Subsequent episodes will follow a weekly schedule, leading up to the season finale on October 23, offering viewers an immersive and thrilling viewing experience.

Do not miss out on the latest updates by signing up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter, keeping you informed on the latest in celebrity news and human-interest stories. Stay tuned as ‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’ promises an exciting blend of drama, action, and intrigue that are bound to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.