NCIS Fans Suggested Ziva Can Take Gibbs' Place in Upcoming Seasons

A fan theory has been making the rounds on social media about the cast of “NCIS.” A number of fans hope and believe that a former character will return for season 18 and take the lead role.

There’s a fan theory that actress Cote de Pablo could come back to “NCIS’” season 18 as former Agent Ziva David. The theory came up from a Reddit user and has since spread.

The interesting part about the theory was that fans believed De Pablo’s character wouldn’t just return in the same post but would take a lead role. Fans suspect that her character could replace Mark Harmon’s Agent Gibbs in the upcoming season.

Two months ago, a Reddit user named sparkplug_23 wrote:

“Gibbs is old now, I stand by that the only way this show can continue is if Ziva takes his place as team lead, oh how wonderful that would be.”

The social media user added an idea of how the role change would occur stating:

“They could just write that for her child's protection Tony is taking care of her in hiding, I wouldn't be mad at all, anything to have her back.”

De Pablo’s character on the series was a fan-favorite from 2005 until 2013. After leaving the show she made a surprise return on the season 16 finale.

Since then “NCIS” showrunners Frank Cardea and Steven D. Binder have revealed that she would reprise her role again in the season 17 premiere. They stated: “[De Pablo] will guest star in the NCIS Season 17 premiere this Fall as Ziva's warning to Gibbs unfolds.”

On the finale of season 16, David appeared at the top of Gibbs’ staircase warning him that his life was in danger. The next season will continue from that point.

However, De Pablo hasn’t signed on to return as a series regular on the crime series. Despite this, fans are still feeding the theory that she might.

The same Reddit user noted:

“I believe Ziva's character is the only one beloved enough by fans to carry the show after Gibbs/Ducky leave. Otherwise its time to end it in my opinion. The moment they gave Gibbs a 4th wife (5th including Shannon I think) was the moment his story arc was drawn out for me.”

Another Reddit user named Northsidebill1 added: “I stand by that the only way this show can continue is if Ziva takes his place as team lead.” Twitter user Emily Ann Kingsleigh wrote: “I still can not [sic] believe, Ziva David of NCIS is taking the lead role from Gibbs this coming season...”

What could be fueling the theory is the fact that Harmon is currently signed on to star in season 17 but not for the next one. Plus when De Pablo left she explained that her departure was based on her character not receiving “the respect that she deserved.”

The actress also shared that she would be willing to return if “someone can really write something fantastic” for David.

On “NCIS: Los Angeles,” Barrett Foa‘s character Eric will be absent for the first 5 episodes of season 11. The actor’s temporary leave is to allow him to star in a production of “Angels in America” at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis this fall.

“NCIS” season 17 will premiere on September 24 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.