Sonja Flemming/CBSWill one of the most-watched shows on television still be as powerful without a core castmember? We're about to find out.
Cote de Pablo, who has played the role of special agent Ziva David since 2005, has decided not to renew her contract with NCIS that expired at the end of last season and will exit the series, CBS confirms to E! News.
"I've had eight great years with NCIS and Ziva David," Pablo says 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."
The actress will appear in the season 11 premiere episode to wrap up Ziva's storyline.
Says CBS: "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-ten finale of NCIS had Ziva resigning from the team, with her fate still left up in the air even after a four-month time jump. Fans were worried that Pablo might be killed off the successful series after getting into a horrific car accident with team member and love interest Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) but they survived. The duo ended the series just as friends, and it doesn't seem likely that they'll be much more than that once Pablo leaves the show for good. Sorry, shippers.
What do you guys think of her exit, NCIS fans? How should her storyline wrap up?