David McCallum Reveals Why Cote de Pablo Initially Left ‘NCIS’
The Mystery of Cote de Pablo’s Exit Unveiled
When actress Cote de Pablo left the hit CBS show ‘NCIS,’ neither she nor the network were willing to dive into the details of her departure. However, co-star David McCallum decided to shed some light on the situation during an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on Reddit in 2016.
“An Ask Me Anything thread on Reddit can often reveal insights that celebrities typically wouldn’t share elsewhere.”
The Reddit Reveal
David McCallum, known for his role as Ducky on ‘NCIS,’ started an AMA thread to engage with fans and also promote his debut mystery novel, “Once a Crooked Man.” Among a flurry of questions, one stood out, asking why Cote de Pablo left the series. McCallum was candid in his response.
“I was astonished when Cote left, but in hindsight, it appears she struggled with the demands of her character,” McCallum reported.
He went on to say that he still didn’t fully comprehend the depths of her reasons for leaving.
Cote de Pablo Opens Up
A few weeks after McCallum shared his perspective on Reddit, Cote de Pablo herself spoke about her decision in a Vanity Fair interview. She pointed out that she felt her character wasn’t receiving the respect it deserved, which played a significant role in her departure.
“When you’ve spent eight years crafting and loving a character, the least you expect is respect for that character,” said de Pablo.
The actress further explained that the show’s direction for her character did not align with what she thought was appropriate, stating, “They were going to make her an unfortunate, miserable woman, which I didn’t think was fair to the women who have followed the show for so long.”
In spite of her earlier exit, de Pablo later chose to return for a brief stint on ‘NCIS,’ but only under the condition that the writing did justice to her character.
What Lies Ahead
David McCallum’s revelation and Cote de Pablo’s subsequent statements add layers to a story that has long intrigued ‘NCIS’ fans. While McCallum has since passed away, his comments still resonate with fans who continue to miss ‘Ducky’ and are always keen to understand more about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the show.
“David McCallum’s insights will continue to be cherished by fans, just like his character Ducky on ‘NCIS.'”