NCIS Shocker: Cote de Pablo to Depart Series

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The first bombshell of NCIS Season 11 has taken place months before the season premiere:

Cote de Pablo announced today that she will depart the highest-rated show on television this fall.

Pretty Ziva

“I’ve had 8 great years with NCIS and Ziva David," the actress said in a statement.

"I have huge respect and affection for Mark, Gary, Michael, David, Rocky, Pauley, Brian, Sean, all of the team and CBS. I look forward to finishing Ziva’s story.”

de Pablo's contract ran out at the conclusion of Season 10, but she will appear in the September 24 opener (titled "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot") in order to wrap up her character's story.

“We respect Cote’s decision, thank her for being an important part of the NCIS team, and for eight terrific years playing Ziva David," said CBS in a statement.

"Cote and CBS share a great respect for the NCIS audience, and we look forward to working with her and the producers on appropriate closure in this chapter of Ziva’s story.”

The actress joined NCIS in Season 3, following the exit of Sasha Alexander. She will be greatly missed by TV Fanatic and fans everywhere.

Production on Season 11 will soon get underway.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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NCIS Season 11 Episode 1 Quotes

I'm positive that NCIS is being set up. Sending you out here was not about Lieutenant McBride. It was about separating you from your team.

Parsons

Tobias: Hard to know who to trust anymore.
Gibbs: Has it ever been easy, Tobias?