November 2, 2013

  Mark Harmon spoke at the CBS International Press Junket on November 1, fielding questions about Cote de Pablo's exit from NCIS. Members of the international media posted Harmon's comments to Twitter, including his feelings about his time with de Pablo on the series.

"It was a pleasure working with her for eight years.” - Mark Harmon about Cote de Pablo

After contract negotiations with CBS broke down at the end of season 10, de Pablo chose to leave the successful crime procedural she had worked on for eight seasons.

“It was a shock to all of us," Harmon said when asked about de Pablo’s departure. “She was there for eight years — that’s high school and college.”

NCIS viewers know de Pablo as Ziva David, the Mossad liaison officer that arrived in season 3 and who eventually became a US citizen and full-fledged Federal Agent. Harmon plays Supervisory Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, David's boss and surrogate father-figure. In addition to being lead actor, Harmon is also one of the show's Executive Producers.

Other comments that made their way to Twitter include Harmon's praise of Showrunner and fellow Executive Producer Gary Glasberg for having "done a remarkable job” incorporating Ziva's farewell into the two-part season premiere. Harmon stressed that viewers and cast alike “feel the loss” of the Chilean-born, Miami-bred de Pablo.

de Pablo’s departure has obviously affected the scriptwriters, who had to rework the premiere to write out the Ziva David character. Harmon admitted that it has brought changes to the popular drama. “All of a sudden you’re one down...We have to deal with it." But change isn't necessarily bad. Harmon said, "It's year 11 and we are still pushing new storylines. We're not bored...I love my job."

Separately from the Twitter postings, the Star reports that Harmon mentioned a new female actress has been cast and will join later this season. “We’re all intrigued and satisfied with the actress,” said Harmon, without naming names. “We’re thrilled to have her.” Is Harmon referring to actress Emily Wickersham, who has been cast in a multi-episode arc as 'Agent Bishop', or has a separate casting decision been made that is not yet public?

“You spend more time with your cast than your family,” Harmon said, according to the Star. “We were pleased to have (de Pablo) for eight years and now it’s time to move on.”

Twitter sources: journalists Margaret Gardiner, Jenny Cooney, and Alex Strachan.

Subscribe to NCIS Examiner, contact us at [email protected], on Twitter, and visit our Facebook page. Passionate about a topic? Apply today to become an Examiner!

©Pat Ryder, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior written permission and consent from the author or Clarity Digital Group LLC, DBA Examiner.com.

Michael Weatherly