Cote de Pablo says becoming a mother in real life gave her a deeper emotional connection to Ziva David in NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
At the New York premiere, 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 when an attack on Tony’s security company forces the family to flee across Europe, putting their trust and relationship to the ultimate test.
De Pablo revealed that her own experience with motherhood helped shape Ziva’s fierce protectiveness and emotional growth, though she continues to keep details of her private life out of the spotlight.
She also praised young actress Isla Gie, who plays Tali, calling her “very talented” and applauding how naturally she blends traits of both parents.
Reflecting on the couple’s lasting appeal, de Pablo believes fans are still captivated by years of unresolved tension, sharp banter, and slow-burn romance from NCIS — and says this new chapter finally delivers the family dynamic viewers have long wanted to see.