NCIS said goodbye to Cote de Pablo in 2013 but brought her back six years later. She initially joined the show as Sasha Alexander's character, Kate Todd, left. De Pablo's portrayal of Ziva David was well-received by fans, and she stayed on the show for eight years. Her departure was upsetting due to her character's impactful storylines and cultural significance. De Pablo left the show when her character's direction did not align with her impact. However, producers convinced her to return in season 17, allowing for more closure to Ziva's story.
