Cote de Pablo Exposes Why She and Michael Weatherly Avoided an Intimacy Coordinator

A Deep Bond and Trust Between Two Iconic Stars

The chemistry between Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo on the long-running series NCIS has always been undeniable. Their characters, Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, shared a complex and evolving relationship that captivated fans for years. Now, as they prepare to star in the new spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the pair is relying on their strong bond and mutual trust rather than the use of an intimacy coordinator.

De Pablo recently shared her thoughts on the decision during an interview with TV Insider. She emphasized that she and Weatherly have always had a deep level of trust, which makes the idea of an intimacy coordinator unnecessary. “Michael and I have a lot of trust with each other and are great friends,” she said. “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, who has been part of NCIS since its inception, echoed this sentiment. He explained that the physical and emotional connection between his character and Ziva was built over time, and he believes their history gives them the freedom to work without external oversight. “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,” he said. “Physical interaction starts with trust. Luckily, Cote and I do not have an issue in that area.”

A History of Intimacy and Collaboration

The dynamic between Tony and Ziva began in the early seasons of NCIS. Their first encounter was electric, and the chemistry between the two actors quickly became one of the show’s most beloved elements. Over the course of nine seasons, they explored a range of emotions, from flirtation to romance, and even parenthood after Ziva left the series in season 11.

One of the most memorable moments in their on-screen relationship came in the season 3 episode titled Under Covers. The scene featured a passionate intimate moment between Tony and Ziva, which set the tone for their evolving relationship. De Pablo, who had less screen experience at the time, recalled how Weatherly helped her navigate the scene. “He started holding, literally just holding my head up so I looked better and so the light could find my face,” she said. “Of course, I’m not an expert like he is. I don’t know about cameras. I don’t know anything about acting. And I’m going, ‘Why is he tilting my head?’”

Weatherly explained that his experience in soap operas gave him a unique perspective on how to handle such scenes. “I did a lot of soap operas when I was a young actor, like 500 episodes or something. So you learn to make sure that everyone is okay in terms of lighting and in terms of clearing for cameras,” he said.

New Adventures in NCIS: Tony & Ziva

With the upcoming spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the pair is returning to the world they once called home. The newest trailer for the series, released at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, hints at a return of the fiery chemistry between the two characters. The footage includes several intimate scenes and even shows Ziva in a wedding gown, though the relationship remains ambiguous in some moments.

Despite the potential for complicated scenes, both Weatherly and de Pablo remain confident in their ability to handle the material without external guidance. “I said, ‘Whatever Cote wants,’” Weatherly said. “We had to do that right out of the gate in Under Covers.”

The show will premiere with three episodes on September 4, followed by weekly releases on Paramount+. Fans can look forward to seeing how the story of Tony and Ziva continues, with the same level of trust and collaboration that made their previous work so compelling.