After years of speculation and denial, Cote de Pablo has finally confirmed what NCIS fans had suspected all along: her return to the show was always a possibility. The actress, who portrayed the beloved Ziva David, had kept quiet about her future involvement in the series following her initial departure in 2013. But in a recent interview, de Pablo admitted that there had always been a chance she would return, and the decision ultimately came down to the right timing and storyline. This revelation came as a pleasant surprise for fans who had longed for Ziva’s return ever since her dramatic exit.

De Pablo’s acknowledgment ends years of uncertainty for fans who had hoped to see Ziva back on-screen. Her eventual return in 2019 was met with overwhelming excitement, as viewers were able to finally witness the closure and emotional arcs they had been waiting for. With this confirmation, it’s clear that Cote de Pablo always had an open door to revisit the character when the right moment came—something that fans have long suspected but never confirmed until now.