Cote de Pablo Declined Intimacy Coordinator for 'Tony & Ziva': "We Don’t Want to Be Micromanaged"
L-R Cote De Pablo as Ziva David and Michael Weatherly as Tony Dinozzo In NCIS: Tony & Ziva, episode 3, season 1, airing on Paramount+ 2025. Photo Credit: Marcell Piti/Paramount+
The 'NCIS' stars say trust, not coordination, is what makes their on-screen chemistry work.
Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly are reuniting in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the highly anticipated spin-off premiering September 3 on Paramount+. But ahead of their on-screen return, de Pablo is making headlines for her decision to turn down an intimacy coordinator during production.
"Did not need one," de Pablo told TV Insider when asked about the behind-the-scenes protocols. "They asked me first, I think because I’m a female and blah, blah, blah, and I said, ‘I don’t need one. Thank you for offering.’"
De Pablo, who starred with Weatherly on the original NCIS for 12 seasons, emphasized the deep trust the two share as longtime collaborators. "Michael and I have a lot of trust with each other and are great friends," she explained. "So, when it comes to shooting these things, we don’t want to be micromanaged. We like to explore it, and we trust each other enough that we allow that to happen."
Weatherly echoed her stance, saying, "I said, ‘Whatever Cote wants.’ Love scenes are complicated because that level of nonverbal communication — you kiss someone the way you want to be kissed or you touch someone the way you want to be touched — that is a deep level of communication. Physical interaction starts with trust. Luckily, Cote and I do not have an issue in that area."
Their upcoming series marks a major milestone for both actors. For de Pablo, it's a return to one of her most iconic roles. For Weatherly, it's his first major gig since wrapping Bull in 2022. The CBS legal drama ended under a cloud of controversy after actress Eliza Dushku accused Weatherly of sexual harassment during filming, ultimately receiving a $9.5 million settlement from CBS.
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Despite past controversies, both actors are focused on the future with Tony & Ziva, which promises to bring back the chemistry and spycraft that fans adored. Set after the events of their final NCIS appearances, the series finds the pair navigating parenthood, international espionage, and the complexities of rekindled romance.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva premieres with its first three episodes on September 3, exclusively on Paramount+.
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