The captivating connection between the actors during their time on NCIS is a memorable one. From seasons four to ten, their on-screen characters, Ziva David and Tony DiNozzo, displayed undeniable chemistry.

“Ziva is a tremendous part of the Tony DiNozzo character, and she always will be. We knew we had to touch on that,” executive producer Gary Glasberg told Deadline in 2016.

They looked so comfortable with each other and, thanks to their phenomenal charisma, they became somewhat irreplaceable. For me, the uncertainty of whether their on-screen chemistry extended beyond the set added an extra layer of mystery and excitement. And it was kind of obvious that they liked each other, their camaraderie was often evident in interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, showcasing a playful and friendly dynamic.

Given their excellent on-screen chemistry, many fans perhaps assumed that Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly formed an instant connection off-screen as well. However, the fact is that the couple had a rather rocky start before getting to know each other properly.

The 44-year-old Chilean-born Cote said: “We realized we’re so drastically different and so much alike that there was an immediate attraction.”

According to Weatherly, Cote de Pablo was not his biggest fan during their initial screen test for popular crime series.

”I remember so vividly the screen test with Cote. She just loathed me instantly,” Weatherly told Deadline.

Recalling the moment he first noticed her, Weatherly couldn’t help but draw parallels between her and Salma Hayek.