When Cote de Pablo left NCIS in 2013, fans around the world were stunned. After spending eight seasons portraying Ziva David, one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, she decided it was time to move on and explore new opportunities. While many expected her to immediately take on another major television role, Cote chose a quieter and more selective path.
Following her departure, she appeared in projects such as The 33 and The Dovekeepers, while also becoming involved in production work behind the scenes. Rather than chasing constant visibility in Hollywood, she focused on projects that genuinely interested her and allowed her creative freedom.
Born in Santiago, Chile, on November 12, 1979, Cote moved to the United States as a child and eventually pursued acting and music. Despite her fame, she has always been known for keeping her personal life private. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Diego Serrano for several years, but the couple later went their separate ways. Unlike many celebrities, Cote rarely discusses her relationships publicly and has generally chosen to keep her life away from the spotlight. In recent years, she has also shared that she became a mother, adding a new and meaningful chapter to her life.
Even after leaving NCIS, fans never stopped hoping to see Ziva David again. Their wish was partially fulfilled when Cote returned for several episodes of NCIS, but the biggest surprise came when Paramount+ announced NCIS: Tony & Ziva, a spinoff centered on Ziva and Tony DiNozzo. The series reunited Cote with Michael Weatherly for the first time in more than a decade and followed the fan-favorite duo as they navigated life in Europe while raising their daughter, Tali. The story explored their complicated relationship, unresolved emotions, and a dangerous international conspiracy that forced them back into action.
Both Cote and Michael also served as executive producers on the project, showing how invested they were in bringing these characters back to fans. Cote described the experience of working on the series as “healing,” explaining that it gave them a chance to explore parts of Tony and Ziva’s story that had never been fully told on NCIS.
More than a decade after leaving NCIS, Cote de Pablo remains one of the most admired actresses ever associated with the franchise. Her portrayal of Ziva David helped define an era of NCIS, and her return proved just how much the character still means to audiences around the world. Whether on screen, behind the scenes, or in her private life away from Hollywood, Cote continues to earn the respect and admiration of fans everywhere.