Viewers knew that one of the main characters on NCIS would die in this season's last episode, but the identity of that person remained one of television's best-kept secrets until the finale aired.
When Special Agent Kaitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander) was killed by a gunshot from double agent Ari, fans reacted with shock and rage. They flooded Internet message boards with angry postings directed at series creator Don Bellisario, who they felt was responsible for killing off one of the most important characters on NCIS. The verbal violence was only subdued when fans realized that Alexander had not been fired from NCIS but had in fact left the show of her own volition.
"This was the first time she went over a year on a show," says Bellisario of Alexander, "and she just didn't think she had the stamina to do it."
Alexander will be replaced with a new female lead character, who Bellisario hopes will be quite different from the conservative Agent Todd. "I want to go for a European or Australian girl who is very comfortable with her femininity and sexuality," he says.
Comments (95)
I like Ziva alot- very cool.Kate- she was good but I would like to think they faked her death & she is in another country & Arie is around somewhere. Fake deaths are not unheard of & it would be cool to find them off somewhere.
Yeah... but she was shot in the face. You can't fake that.
Yes, it has been years and life has moved on for Sasha Alexander, privately and professionally. Nothing can stay the same forever and there are great characters galore in this series of series of which I bought the boxed set of Series 1-6. Brilliant. Absolutely the best show on TV, with technicalities like C.S.I., but not over-laboured like that show - and with far more interplay of distinctive characters. It is a winner if there ever was one. However, there are a few things I would like to observe. First, nobody will ever replace Sasha's Caitlin Todd: the violent end of her well-loved character was shocking and all the more so because it belonged to israeli-Palestinian obsessions and 9/11 nightmares that simply don't translate as equal concerns on the European side of the Atlantic. The show was best when it just concentrated on solving crimes, many of whose ingenious examples crowd the ever-fabulous Series 1. The tensions between Di Nozzo and Kate were both credible and realistic, whereas Cote de Pablo's character seems to be artificial. Iconic Di Nozzo is still being put down, of course, but cruelly and unatractively by a lady without the allure of Sasha Alexander - and what on earth is an Israeli agent doing inside N.C.I.S. anyway? Bizarre. I am glad for Sasha Alexander, personally, that her life and career moved on but there will be many people like me for whom their loyalty to a fabulous show is marred by a tinge of regret that the key character of Caitlin Todd was removed in such a gratuitous manner. I would like to have seen her bow out gracefully, not as a victim to political murder chic. We all mourned. Glory days may be over but N.C.I.S. is still worth watching, especially if it focuses on crime, not post 9/11 obsessions.
Caitlin Todd was the best. but I wish Sasha Alexander every happiness and blessing in her life and career. N.C.I.S. lost out big time...but life moves on.moreless
Hey everybody forget about Kate and Tony being so good together and as far as Diva, I think she's great, I like the spicy games she and Tony play. They need to be a couple but they would probably be at each other or maybe some people like it hot. But I think That McGee was becoming a hunk until he just won't stop losing weight. I really think that there is something wrong with him. He may be dieting or working out but he looks punnie. Is there anybody else that sees such a drastic change from 1 week to another on the new series. I sur hope that he stops whatever he is doing to lose weight because now he is not looking so much like a hunk. He is entirely to thin. His adams apple really shows a lot his facial structure is too skelatol. I sure hope he doesn't leave the show due to his sickness or weakness because I would love to see him and Abby together. Now Abby , she's something else. She is beautiful and I didn't know that she was an all girl band in the past. Please don't kill off Gibbs or let him leave the show because I really won't watch the program if he leaves. Tony is a great actor . I think a lot of his part is really him going above and beyond script. He is so funny and then he can be so serious. He and Diva might as well hit the sack and get it over with. He is so noisy about her. I believe he's a little jealous and that tells me something, Keep up the good work all you guys and girls. I love all the crime scene programs. I favorite is Criminal Minds. I wonder why without a trace is not continuing. I think it is a good program. ????????????????moreless
I am a very big fan of NCIS especially Jethro Leroy Gibbs! What a hunk!! LOL! Kate was okay but, in my book she really didn't cut it as an agent. There was one time too many where she hesitated. Now that last episode where she appeared to all NCIS individually she was good! Like she let her hair and inhibitions down. She had fun with ...that last episode. Thats one of my favs with Kate in it. Talking about that Ziva girl! Wow! Now Ziva is a modern arse kicking. Jujitsu fighting sex machine! She is one great chick rolled into one: Cote de Pablo! That was a good call! and she fits into NCIS team like a glove to a hand! As strong a fighter as she is, she also shows she is female. TOVA- Tony & Ziva are a good love match! They blend their strenghths and help with each others weakness'. I want to see Gibbs and that Abby girl do the wild dance! LOL! Now there is sexual tension just simmering on their horizon! Abby kicked it in that episode where she dressed as Marilyn, remember that one? She goes for older men. remember in one of the earlier episodes where she mentions she dated her prof who was in his 60's. As for Vance, at first I was like No way... but, he has grown on me and I like him. It is funny how he is all bark at work but, when he gets home his wife has her household in check. Those 2 make a nice couple. Vance may look unyielding but, he is trying to make a good Director and do a good job. Seems he has started to make his 'nest in the NCIS family. I can't see Gibbs, Abby, Tony, Ziva, McGee or Ducky not being there. That Jimmy fellow is expendable. Something about him irritates me like he is a brown noser, gossipy, grudge holder kinda guy. Just don't mess with my top 6 because... We are not the FBI, dirtbag!!
LOL! I just love this show!!moreless
I too have all six seasons of NCIS and I agree that Sasha Alexander was a great character on the show but I think Cote de Pablo is a much better agent. She adds a nice twist on things and I think the chemistry is much better between all three male agents. I also appreciate that she is not afraid to kick some ass! Kate was much more reserved. Remember when Kate didn't stab Ari when she had the chance? Gibbs is right, eyes can still lie. Imagine Ziva in that position; she would have taken a stab at him! I don't really care for Director Vance either. He is too mysterious and Jenny was way better. Too bad she had to die.
I started out as a casual fan of NCIS but have been a constant watcher now. I even own all the first 6 seasons on DVD. Yes Agent Todd (Sasha Alexander) was an excellent character and was very good, sorry to see her go, but Special Agent Ziva David has been overall very refreshing and even a good foil for Special Agent Tony Dinozzo (A hint of sexual chemistry there). I was sorry to see Agent Todd die but Ziva David and Jenny Shepard were good replacements. Now the new NCIS director Leon I think needs to die and Gibbs needs to step in temporarily until a replacement is found. Rocky Carrol is no fun to watch as the director, not a half way good foil for Gibbs.
Sasha Alexander's was good but why did she start a show just to quit now thats not right to the fans of ncis but on the bright side of it she can come back like that do in soaps LOL all in all she did help make ncis what it is today and with Ziva the show is still good to watch i think thay did a great job making Ziva a good spot to fill in yes would have work just fine with both women on the show but what can you do this is real life and people to quit JOBS all the time!!! Just dont have gibbs killed off if so the show can just go off the air no one can take his spot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I miss Sasha's character but I understand now why she left. I didn't know that she married Sophia Loren's son and had a baby. I have to say I like her character more than I do Zeva. Too rough around the edges.
I don't miss Kate at all. Boy I bet she's kicking herself now. Bellisario said she "didn't think she had the stamina". That's a nice way of saying she left for other reasons like cast or writer issues. Why is she never mentioned by the cast?
Making tv is exausting. She left for the reasons she stated.
so many years passed and i still miss Kate. She was a great addition to the show. Her interaction with Tony was absolutely hilarious. They had great chemistry. I am glad Ziva got on board, because I really love her character and I am glad they just didn't decide to settle for some sort of "Kate wannabe". Sad how my fave characters always get killed off...
i still like kate better than ziva
i like both kate and ziva i think it would be could if they could have worked together
i just rewatched season 1 and 2 i like ziva but i miss kate
I agree i still miss kate but I live the tiva situation and I will be a loyal fan unless gibbs leaves, it's not NCIS without him
I still miss Kate when i watch back Season 1 and 2 dvds. I like Ziva too but Kate has always been my fav
The previous poster said "Ziva has an attitude that she's better than the men!" Bollocks. No she doesn't. She comes from a culture where people are far more straightforward (nobody argues like an Israeli) and women are far more equal - in Israel, both men and women go through compulsory military service. ..... In any case, speaking as someone who started watching in Season 7 but has since gone back and watched several episodes from Season 1, 4, 5 and 6, I have to say that Ziva's better than Kate. Kate's good, but Ziva's special..... If this was real life, I'd have preferred that Tony got popped and that Ziva and Kate were both around. But this is TV, and Tony's required for comic relief. (He is, after all, a joke.)moreless
I disagree, Tony is smarter than the rest when it actually come to detective work. He's Gibbs when Gibbs was younger. That is why Gibbs wanted him to work for him in the first place. Kate was not that good, and a detriment to the team with her hesitations. She lacked what it takes. Tony doesn't lack, he's just misguided sometimes.
add a comment The best show was when Ziva poped Ari in Gibbs basement!And I liked Kate much better! Ziva has an attitude that she's better than the men!
I am on the other end of the spectrum, I think the character of Ziva is better than the one of Kate. I like Kate, but Ziva adds a new diminsion to the show. She is a no nonsense character that has a heart. Tony is too juvenile and Kate played to it too much.
I started watching the first seasons again and the show was so much better with Sasha. The bickering between Kate and Tony was just so freakin' funny :PI wish they hadn't killed her but found another way to let her go. Maybe some day Sasha could have returned. This was kind of a final thing...
the way they killed her off was one of the most shocking moments of television. Even when I see it on replays it still "gets" me. It was very well done. The show after that, I didn't like when everyone was "seeing" her. That was my least favorite show of all the seasons 1-8.
Loved Kate, but love Ziva more!
Sorry..but I love Kate, not Ziva..It's just that they don't have the chemistry she and Tony has.. LOL. I can't believe she died.
I did love Kate, but now I must admit that I prefer Ziva!
I am very sad that kate had to die, i like ziva but kate was more personable. but jenny died, did any body see that episode? so yeah now theres that man who is the new director over NCIS. so i love kate!!!
I miss Kate, she was awesome. But we got Ziva and Jenny in return, and you gotta say, it's gotten way more personal between characters, adding to the greatness of the show.
I miss Sasha so much on NCIS. She is amazing, no matter if she is still on or not that's why I have season 1 and 2! :) She had her reasons for quitting also. She doesn't like to be doing something for too long before she gets tired or bored of it. That is exactly what the word has been, but then again ducky03 could be right. I think it was planned and she just wanted to settle down and start her family also. I will always look for her whenever I can though. She'll always be my favorite!
She left the show, because she was pregnant or she planned her pregnancy. Her daughter was born on May 2006 and the second epizode of 3. season(last epizode which she played in) had first run on September 27, 2005. Count: May 2006 - 9 months = September 2005. So, I think she was pregnant in this time and that is the reason why she left the show.I have never conciliated with her leaving from the show, Kate is still my favourite character, I don't like Ziva at all. But now she has a pretty daughter called Lucia Sophia and loving husband. If she would continued in the show, she wouldn't have daughter and husband now.So, I think her personal life and happiness is more important than any show. I wish you, Sasha, all the best in your personal life and career.And what about you others???moreless
some actors and actresses wait for ever for a chance like she had on ncis and she just quit how stupid is that
I was sooo mad because Kate was my favorite. but when Jenny and Ziva came, i didn't mind because they seemed very funny and nice!!!
i too really miss kates character. her replacement has been hard to get into. i guess i will eventually.
I just want to know why she quit the show, does anyone actually know??
aww its so sweet that she didnt think she had the "stamina" to stay on!!! bless her. i cried when she died even though i knew it was coming because i only got into ncis at the start of the third season. i liked kate's character but i like ziva too. they are two different people so i don't really mind the "transfer". or maybe i'm used to it as in my fave tv program charmed a character left and got replaced similarly to this. cant wait for season 5 to come to the UK!!! we are only on the end of the fourth...still, i think if sasha wanted to leave then that was her choice so no way should people be angry. yeah, she was a great character but so is ziva and they are totally different. at least the writers didn't just replace the actress, but made a new character. i don't really prefer either of them because they are both good in different ways. unless kate was your favourite charcter, i don't think you shuld be too upset or angry as it was sasha's choice.my fave character is mcgee :Dmoreless
i hope see Sasha Alexander in another show soon
i like her character in NCIS she was great
hey , in fact i like Ncis so much and i miss kate too i realy like her and tony , i hope see you again "sasha" in another show
I really miss the character of Kate. I just started watching the show, and I've just recently gone back and watched all of the episodes. I just can't seem to get used to Ziva. Maybe it's just because I loved Kate so much.
But for all those people who are angry at Sasha for leaving, that's just ridiculous. Acting is a JOB. And just like we quit jobs if we're not enjoying them anymore, then actors can stop working on a show once they lose interest too. Some of you called her selfish for wanting to leave, but it's selfish of you guys to want her to stay in a job where she's not happy enough.
I guess I have a different perspective than most of the viewers here, as I began watching this show after Sasha was killed. It is the ONLY network series I watch. I bought the first and second season DVD's and, although Kate was a good character, Ziva brings a lot to the table with her looks, toughness, and humourus twisting of common American "saying's" I also love it when it's revealed to the occasional Jihadi terrorist that she was Mossad, while she's giving them that beutiful dark-eyed death stare. Makes me laugh out loud!. My only concern is that with the departure of Bellisario, that this exiting, un-PC, hour of fun on Tuesday evening is brought down to the level of shows like "Law and Order" with thier left -wing biases sugarcoating all that is evil just to make an anti-Bush (GOP) "statment". If that occurs, I foresee a great loss of viewers. And, deseveredly so.moreless
To all those who hate Ziva simply for coming in and taking the place of a character you loved: Get Over It! Yes I agree that Kate was an awesome agent and that Sasha is a talented actress but Kate's gone now stop living in the past. Kate and Ziva both have different qualities which makes them both highly entertaining to watch. Kate for example resisted Tony making out that she was a strict, non-partying girl but we find out she's far from it and Ziva and Tony have this chemistry that's set off at the most unpredictable of times. Also the fact Ziva knows little English sayings just adds to the humour she brings. So what I'm trying to say is that Kate's gone and Ziva's here let's all learn to embrace it. Thank Youmoreless
i hate sasha alexnder now, i cant believe the reason she quit was because she thought she wasnt good enough!!! thats so stupid!!! a lot of people still feel bad about kate dieing and i just get mad. i mean dont get me wrong i love kate and ncis, speacily abby, its just that was stupid of her she should come back, i mean fornell came back so why cant she? either way she stinks!!!( i mean sasha)
Still missing Sasha's character Kate on NCIS. Ziva has gradually earned a place on the show but I don't think that anyone will ever forget "Kate" at any point in "Ziva's" longevity with the show... On other show issues: I'm liking Tonys maturing character and definitly finding the escapades of the young M.E. aide disturbing and not supportive of the overall excellent story lines. Also looking forward to seeing glimpses of the secret sides of Abby. What an awesome Marilyn look-a-like. Momentarily if was like Marilyn had come back...
i'm looking the tv series to and i just saw yesterday the episode where special agent NCIS Kate died .. i think if she lived on that she and dinozzo ended as a couple :) ..but she wanted to leave the show so thats a pitty ...but its still a good show ..and the show must go on bye
hey! i loved kate she was the best! i nearly cried when she got shot! she had such great chemistry with tony (who is so hot btw) i thought he would'v got her pregnant at some stage and then she couldv left to have the baby! that wouldv been gr8! but she wanted to leave so i wish her all the best! i like ziva but shes nowhere near as good as kate!
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