‘NCIS’ Season 13 Finale: Cote de Pablo reveals reason for leaving, not likely to guest star for Michael Weatherly’s exit (Video Review)

The “NCIS” Season 13 finale air date is fast approaching, which means fans are getting more anxious about the possible guesting of Cote de Pablo for the departure of Michael Weatherly. What was possible is becoming less likely, though, based on a recently uploaded video. The actress who played Ziva David for eight years has recently spoken about the real reason she left the CBS drama.

After finding out Cote’s real reason for leaving soon after the “NCIS” Season 10 finale, some fans were able to find some closure. The actress said she wanted a better story for Ziva David. She felt her character was not being treated “with respect that she deserved.” This explanation was never discussed until recently.

Watch Cote explain the history behind Ziva David’s exit in the video below. Fans on Twitter have been discussing this clip, which was reportedly taken during a Q&A session at the Babson College in Massachusetts, where Cote was supposed to discuss her participation in “The 33” movie.

Why did Cote de Pablo leave NCIS?

Cote was against the idea that Ziva David would be living like a “miserable woman” in Israel. This was where the show bosses and writers took Ziva’s story after her family ties were re-explored toward the end of “NCIS” Season 10.

Cote’s explanation about her departure happened just a couple of days ago, according to CarterMatt, which also assured fans that although “there is no physical appearance,” Ziva David will be part of the story of Tony DiNozzo’s NCIS exit.

“Tony's relationship with Ziva absolutely will have an impact on his reason to depart,” NCIS show boss Gary Glasberg has told E! Online, comforting some fans who were afraid the series would let Tony DiNozzo exit with a Ziva-less farewell in the “NCIS” Season 13 finale.

Cote’s recent pronouncements, however, do not seem to come from a place where she could re-appear in the show and work with the writers and producers who created Ziva David. If she does appear as a special guest star in the “NCIS” Season 13 finale, it would be surprising, considering her recent revelations.

For now, fans of Tony and Ziva can look forward to how the writers crafted a Ziva element in Tony’s departure.

The “NCIS” Season 13 finale will air on May 17 on CBS.

WATCH: Cote de Pablo explains reason for leaving ‘NCIS’