‘NCIS’ Ziva David Return: How Cote de Pablo Created Her Return
On Monday, NCIS showrunners shared how they got Cote de Pablo to return as Ziva David. What was the key to bringing back the fan favorite after being gone from the CBS show for nearly six years?
New #NCIS interview! EPs @stevebinder and #FrankCardea discuss Ziva's return, Sloane, Bishop & Torres, 400th episode, and more https://t.co/7AJOQK2XlG
— Matt Roast (@HeyMattRoast) September 16, 2019
Did NCIS Write In Ziva Or did They Talk To Cote de Pablo?
Ziva David fans are so excited about the premiere of NCIS Season 17 they may not have stopped to think of how this all came together. How did the showrunners get Cote de Pablo to return to NCIS? According to an interview on CarterMatt, showrunners Steven D. Binder and Frank Cardea shared the timeline and “process” of bringing Ziva David back from the dead.
The starting point was the episode entitled “She.” This is the story when Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) tried to clean out Ziva’s secret office while dealing with an old Ziva case. At the end of the episode, Ziva left Bishop a message asking her to keep her secret for the sake of her family.
Binder explained that this was the jumping off point for bringing Ziva back. They wondered whether Ziva would “make an appearance.” Binder explained that, “We lit the fuse. It was a long fuse, and eventually it led to what you saw.”
The NCIS Story Mattered
The first obstacle they faced was whether Cote de Pablo was even interested in returning. They didn’t have a story line and Binder explained that this was unusual. Usually they present an actor a storyline. In this case, they needed to “develop” a storyline for her return. Cardea explained that Cote did not want to return for a single episode. This meant they needed to create a bigger story arc.
Binder added that not only did they need to create a story, but Cote wanted a “meaningful story.” This is because she would only return if they created the “right story.” Because Cote de Pablo’s criteria was so high, both showrunners revealed that the storyline is very strong. Of course, they created a great story, because Cote returned.
They had “secretive meetings” before “She” in order to figure out her entire story “arc.” Needless to say, the meeting went “well.” Cote de Pablo helped create the circumstances that would bring Ziva David back to NCIS. The talented showrunners and writers have written a storyline that should entertain fans.
Only one more week Ziva fans!
Ziva David fans, what do you think of Cote de Pablo’s involvement with Ziva’s storyline? Are you getting excited for the NCIS Season 17 premiere? Please share your comments. Be sure to check back with TV Shows Ace for the latest on NCIS. NCIS Season 17, featuring Cote de Pablo as Ziva David, premieres on September 24 on CBS.
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