Cote de Pablo’s departure from “NCIS” in 2013 left fans reeling, with many questioning whether she was making a huge mistake by leaving the hit series. As a beloved character, Ziva David, de Pablo had cemented herself as a fan favorite, contributing significantly to the show’s success. Her decision to leave was fueled by a desire for new challenges and personal growth, which is understandable for any actor looking to diversify their career. While “NCIS” has continued to thrive in her absence, and de Pablo has taken on various other projects, none have matched the prominence of her role on the long-running procedural. Ultimately, whether her choice was a mistake is subjective; it may have been a risky move career-wise, but it also allowed her to seek new opportunities and avoid professional stagnation, suggesting it was a calculated risk worth taking for her personal fulfillment and artistic evolution.