As a dedicated fan of Cote de Pablo’s acting career, I can’t help but be in awe of her incredible journey on NCIS and beyond. Her story about the uncomfortable experience during one of her earliest appearances on the show is both relatable and inspiring for any actor or actress out there.
If you recognize Cote de Pablo’s face, it’s likely that your introduction to her acting came from “NCIS,” the lengthy CBS crime series set for its 22nd season in fall 2024. Joining the cast in Season 3 after Sasha Alexander’s character, Caitlin Todd, was killed off at the end of Season 2, Pablo continued as a regular until the eighth season. Her tenure started with an unsettling moment; during one early “NCIS” scene, she forgot her lines for a crucial conversation with David McCallum‘s character, Ducky Mallard, leaving her feeling embarrassed and inadequate.
In an episode of “Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch,” co-hosts De Pablo and Michael Weatherly reminisced about an awkward conversation they had with Eric Christian Olsen. Weatherly initiated the tale, sharing that it took place during a chat on the set of NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles. Olsen, who previously acted as Marty Deeks and now produces the new “Matlock,” was part of the discussion.
During Cote de Pablo’s initial season and early episodes, we were filming two distinct episodes at once. After wrapping up a lengthy scene, Cote was still getting familiar with call sheets and their location. As she completed her coverage, an assistant director approached with a pink call sheet in hand. “Cote, once you’re done here,” they explained, “you’re needed on Stage D for the four-page autopsy scene with Ducky.” Taken aback, Cote asked, “What’s happening?” The AD replied, “We’ll only change your top; keep your pants on since we need to proceed quickly.”
It seems Cote de Pablo was taken by surprise when she found out an autopsy scene for the unnamed NCIS episode was to be filmed on that very day, following the completion of another lengthy sequence. On the podcast, she shared her frustration as she hadn’t had time to memorize her lines due to her background in theatre requiring hours of preparation. However, the NCIS team informed her that TV shows don’t operate under the same constraints and advised her to simply review the script frequently. This revelation left Cote de Pablo feeling pressured, but she eventually managed to overcome this challenge.
Eric’s dread as an actor: Delivering a lengthy monologue over a corpse during filming, dispensing background information. I returned home heartbroken and wept uncontrollably, feeling like a failure. Despairing, I tried again, only to feel more wretched. At that moment, the director consoled me, assuring me it didn’t matter what I said since the shot was so wide-angled. So, I went along with his suggestion: “Action!… 1, 2, 3…”
In NCIS Season 3, Ziva and Ducky have an scene in the autopsy lab filmed from a distance. While her dialogue is heard during this shot, Ziva was indeed following the director’s instructions by counting something. Later, she discussed the scene with some NCIS producers, but revealed a different reason for appearing anxious in the scene.
The top-notch producers, Mark Horowitz and Shills among them, later discovered that I truly hadn’t been aware of the situation. In fact, I wasn’t informed about the second unit role. Consequently, I was genuinely oblivious… I was eager and ready to comply. I was like a dedicated theatre enthusiast, obsessed with my lines. I kept asking, “What are my lines? Drill them, drill them!” So they reassured me, “Cote, we’ll begin with the scene tomorrow. Just go home, memorize it, and join us.” I couldn’t sleep that night due to anxiety, but in the end, I went in the following day and gave it my best.
Cote de Pablo’s fortunes turned around, and she became a regular cast member as Ziva David on NCIS starting from Season 13. However, it was believed that Ziva had perished towards the end of Season 13. In a surprising twist, she reappeared at the end of Season 16, allowing de Pablo to make recurring appearances in Season 17. Now, she is reuniting with Michael Weatherly for the upcoming NCIS spinoff titled “NCIS: Tony & Ziva,” where they will be on the run in Europe.
In Season 22 of NCIS, which starts on Monday, October 14, we have the added treat of the Gibbs-centric prequel, NCIS: Origins, debuting on the same night. Paramount+ is where you can watch all NCIS series, and a subscription is crucial as it’s the only place to catch the Tony & Ziva spinoff.
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2024-07-25 13:37