Cote de Pablo says becoming a mother in real life helped her connect even more deeply with Ziva David’s journey in NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
Speaking at the show’s premiere in New York City, the actress shared that stepping into Ziva’s role as a parent felt surprisingly natural. In the new series, Ziva and Tony DiNozzo are raising their daughter Tali together when an attack on Tony’s security company forces the family to go on the run across Europe, putting both their trust and relationship to the ultimate test.
De Pablo explained that her own experiences with motherhood helped shape her performance, allowing her to portray Ziva’s protective instincts and emotional growth more authentically. Despite the inspiration from her personal life, the actress has kept details about her child private, including the child’s age and father.
She also praised young co-star Isla Gie, who plays Tali, calling her “very talented” and noting how well she captured traits from both Tony and Ziva—even though she wasn’t part of the original NCIS series.
Reflecting on the couple’s lasting popularity, de Pablo believes fans remain invested because of the years of unresolved tension and undeniable chemistry between Ziva and Tony DiNozzo. Their witty banter, emotional vulnerability, and slow-burn romance kept audiences hooked long before they finally reunited.
Now, with Tony and Ziva facing both parenthood and danger side by side, de Pablo says the story finally gives fans the family dynamic they’ve long hoped to see—while staying true to the complicated relationship that made the duo iconic.