In a recent interview, NCIS executive producer Mark Horowitz discussed the extensive measures taken to keep Cote de Pablo’s return as Ziva David a secret during Season 16. He likened their approach to “invoking Fight Club rules,” emphasizing strict confidentiality among the cast and crew. Horowitz explained that the scene featuring Ziva was shared only with a select few, and the dailies were kept separate to prevent leaks. He also mentioned that the script for the scene existed on a single piece of paper, shown only to the dozen people directly involved, and was never released to agents or others. This level of secrecy ensured that Ziva’s return remained a surprise for both the audience and many of the show’s staff.
Cote de Pablo departed from NCIS at the end of Season 11 but made a surprise appearance in the Season 16 finale, with her character continuing to play a significant role in Season 17. Her return was kept under wraps to maintain the element of surprise for viewers.
For a more in-depth look at the secrecy surrounding Cote de Pablo’s return, you can watch the following video:
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