Cote de Pablo opened up about her departure from NCIS in the latest issue of Latina magazine.

"It was not an easy decision, not one taken lightly. I feel like I am leaving my family," she said in the September 2013 issue. "What I want to say most of all is thank you to the fans and to the people who have been so supportive of me and of the show, who have made the show the great success that it is."

NCIS Season 11 Spoilers

De Pablo, who played Ziva David for eight seasons, announced her departure from the show in early July.

"I've had eight great years with NCIS and Ziva David," she said in her statement. "I have huge respect and affection for Mark [Harmon], Gary [Glasberg], Michael [Weatherly], David [McCallum], Rocky [Carroll], Pauley [Perrette], Brian [Dietzen], Sean [Murray], all of the team and CBS. I look forward to finishing Ziva's story."

Fans Angry About Cote de Pablo's Departure From NCIS

Fans will get to see de Pablo, as she returns to the set for a brief time on season 11. As EnStars previously reported, there will be a focus on Ziva's relationship with Special Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo, one that is referred to as Tiva.

"We're going to deliver everything the Tiva fans would want," the show's Executive Producer Gary Glasberg told TV Line in a Tuesday report. "There's tremendous romance and tremendous heart and pathos, and I hope fans enjoy it. We're going to do our best."

Michael Weatherly, who plays Tony, ensured fans that it will be drama worth watching.

"Even if you hate Tiva, even if you love the Tiva, if you're ambivalent, it's like a big Christmas stocking on Christmas morning," he told E! News.

NCIS is television's most popular series with a viewership of 22.7 million. Season 11 premieres on Sept. 24.

Tags: NCIS Cote de Pablo