Cote de Pablo’s portrayal of Ziva David on NCIS stands as one of TV’s most memorable performances. To embody the fierce and complex Mossad agent, de Pablo dedicated herself fully, mastering Ziva’s distinct Israeli accent and diving deep into her backstory. She balanced Ziva’s strength, vulnerability, and cultural identity, creating a character that resonated deeply with fans and redefined the landscape of strong female leads on television.
For de Pablo, Ziva was more than a role—it was a transformative experience. Ziva’s journey, from stoic assassin to loyal teammate and friend, mirrored de Pablo’s growth as an actress, challenging her creatively while allowing her to explore themes like resilience, identity, and family. Though de Pablo eventually departed NCIS, her performance as Ziva remains a career-defining moment, solidifying her status as one of the show’s most cherished stars.
