Cote de Pablo is leaving CBS' "NCIS," the network has confirmed. The star will not return as a regular in Season 11 of the hit procedural, but will reportedly appear long enough to conclude her character's storyline, and is confirmed to appear in the season premiere.
de Pablo has been a regular on "NCIS" as agent Ziva David since Season 3, and after her contract expired at the end of Season 10, was the only cast member who remained unsigned for Season 11.
"I've had eight great years with NCIS and Ziva David," Pablo said in a statement. "I have huge respect and affection for Mark, Gary, Michael, David, Rocky, Pauley, Brian, Sean, all of the team and CBS. I look forward to finishing Ziva's story."
CBS added, "We respect Cote's decision, thank her for being an important part of the NCIS team, and for eight terrific years playing Ziva David. Cote and CBS share a great respect for the NCIS audience, and we look forward to working with her and the producers on appropriate closure in this chapter of Ziva's story."
The Season 10 finale saw Ziva resign from the NCIS team, her fate uncertain after a four-month time jump. Though the character was involved in an explosive car wreck with teammate and love interest Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) last season, both survived, but fans are unlikely to get a happy ending for the will they/won't they couple, given de Pablo's exit.
Are you sad to see de Pablo and Ziva go?
