Behind-the-Scenes Drama That Led To Not One But Two NCIS Stars Leaving

Leaving the show, she said, wasn't something she really wanted (or had planned) to do. But ultimately, her decision led to Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo) leaving the show two seasons later.

The wave of love de Pablo received from the fans did not go unnoticed. And she went on record as saying that she hadn't wanted to let them down and "leave them hanging".

But beyond the network saying that money wasn't a factor in the decision, and the actress herself describing it at the time as a "personal thing", little explanation was given when the shocking news was initially revealed.

A few years later, though, de Pablo did an interview at Babson College in which she made it clear that she walked away because the character that she loved – and had spent eight years crafting – was simply not being given good enough storylines.

During the interview, de Pablo described her decision to quit as "overwhelmingly hard" and "at times terrifying". Not surprising when you consider that she had just given up on a show and a character that were both dear to her heart.

And the ramifications of the decision rumbled on. At the end of season 13, Michael Weatherly left the show after revealing that he felt Tony DiNozzo had nothing really going on after Ziva left the show.

Maybe part of the reason for the initial secrecy was to facilitate de Pablo's return to set to complete her story arc and give fans closure on Ziva's relationship with Tony.

Describing that opportunity, de Pablo acknowledged that she had the "privilege of going back to a set and being able to say goodbye to people" and left on her terms. Which may explain her initial silence on the matter.

She also said she wouldn't be returning "unless someone can really write something fantastic for (Ziva)". And it appears someone must have written something she was happy with in the end, as she reappeared as Ziva in seasons 16 and 17.