Cote de Pablo’s sudden departure from NCIS in Season 11 shocked fans, leaving many wondering why she would walk away from such a beloved role. For years, the official explanation was vague, with CBS citing creative decisions and contract negotiations. However, de Pablo later revealed that the real reason ran much deeper—she was unhappy with the direction of her character, Ziva David. She felt that the scripts did not do justice to Ziva’s legacy and refused to continue portraying a character she believed was being mishandled. Her decision to leave was not about money, as many speculated, but about respect for the role she had helped bring to life.

In interviews, de Pablo expressed her disappointment with how Ziva’s story was unfolding, saying she was not given a good reason to stay. She was passionate about portraying a strong, complex female character, and when she felt that Ziva’s arc was being compromised, she made the difficult choice to leave. Fans were heartbroken when her character was written off-screen, with NCIS initially claiming that Ziva had been killed. This only fueled more controversy, as many believed de Pablo’s exit was mishandled by the show’s producers.

Years later, Cote de Pablo made a surprise return to NCIS, proving that her departure had nothing to do with a lack of love for the show or its fans. Her brief comeback in Seasons 16 and 17 gave Ziva the closure that both she and the audience deserved. While her initial exit remains one of the most debated in NCIS history, one thing is clear—Cote de Pablo left not for personal gain, but to protect the integrity of a character that meant so much to her and the show’s loyal viewers.