When Cote de Pablo abruptly exited NCIS, fans were left confused and frustrated. At the time, Ziva David was one of the show’s most beloved characters, and her departure felt sudden, almost unfinished.
Behind the scenes, however, the decision was far more complex than a simple contract dispute. De Pablo later revealed that creative concerns played a major role. She felt the direction of her character no longer aligned with the standards she had set for herself, and she refused to stay simply for the sake of staying.