Cote de Pablo’s return as Ziva David in NCIS season 21 is seemingly confirmed by Michael Weatherly. On the heels of Tony DiNozzo’s NCIS comeback for Ducky’s tribute, there were questions about where his other half was. As previously confirmed, Tony and Ziva are now based in Paris where they are raising their daughter Tali. Eventually, the pair’s spinoff was announced, which is currently nicknamed NCIS: Europe. Before that, however, de Pablo may be reprising her beloved character in the parent series.
During Weatherly’s Instagram live session (via @sophdinozzo/TikTok), he talks about de Pablo supposedly reuniting with NCIS season 21 star Brian Dietzen, who plays Jimmy Palmer. Check out the snippet below:
@sophdinozzo COTE WILL DO WHAT?!?! OMG OMG… VERY SOON?!?! like how soon michael?!?! omg i wanna know ur thoughts on this like rn guys (this is from michaels live go on his instagram account if u wanna see the whole thing) #michaelweatherly #cotedepablo #cotedepabloedit #briandietzen #zivadavid #tiva #ncis #trending ♬ original sound – sophia dinozzo
In the video, Weatherly essentially reveals that de Pablo and Dietzen have a reunion in the works. He doesn’t specifically mention NCIS season 21, but considering Palmer’s stint in the series, it sounds like the only possibility at this point.
As Brian Dietzen knows, there is going to be a surprise Cote de Pablo thing, but I am not allowed to talk about it, and Brian has been a part of it. I think it’s going to blow people’s minds because she does not do this stuff, Brian knows. She’s a very private person, and I’m a little bit more outspoken and open to, you know, putting myself on show. But Cote will be making an appearance. I tease that she will be making an appearance very soon.
Why Cote de Pablo’ Ziva Will Return In NCIS Season 21?
NCIS has a penchant for doing backdoor pilots, and it is the simplest reason possible behind Ziva’s supposed return. Per the official brief about her and Tony’s spinoff, the pair will be on the run across Europe with Tali. It’s uncertain why they are being hunted, but returning to the main NCIS office in Washington DC to lay out what’s happening to their former team in case they need help is the best way to establish a connection between NCIS and its latest spinoff.
While the focus of his appearance was to console Palmer over the death of Ducky, Tony’s NCIS season 21 return actually sets up the offshoot. Ziva’s absence was already a giveaway that they were in the middle of a crisis. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense that she wouldn’t join him for Dr. Mallard’s sendoff. In her visit to the main NCIS headquarters, Ziva may finally fully lay out their predicament across the pond. That would be a great jumping point for their NCIS expansion series.
Beyond storytelling, using NCIS — the most-watched scripted series on network TV, to introduce Tony and Ziva’s offshoot also makes sense. Not everyone is aware that the upcoming project is happening, especially since it won’t be on CBS. Instead, it would be streaming on Paramount+. Based on Weatherly’s comments, it doesn’t seem that he will be involved with the reunion, however, he doesn’t rule out other returning characters. Perhaps it’s the opportunity that NCIS has been waiting for to also bring back Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
