Cote de Pabloโs portrayal of Ziva David on NCIS stands as one of TVโs most memorable performances. To embody the fierce and complex Mossad agent, de Pablo dedicated herself fully, mastering Zivaโs distinct Israeli accent and diving deep into her backstory. She balanced Zivaโs 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 roleโit was a transformative experience. Zivaโs journey, from stoic assassin to loyal teammate and friend, mirrored de Pabloโs 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 showโs most cherished stars.
