Exclusive: NCIS Beams Up a New Mossad Boss
Meet the Next Generation of Mossad director.
Some three months after killing off Ziva’s father Eli David (played by Michael Nouri), CBS‘ NCIS will introduce viewers to his replacement — Orli Elbaz, to be played by Star Trek: TNG alum Marina Sirtis, TVLine has learned exclusively.
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“The search to replace Eli David as Mossad Director was tricky for us, but we ended up with a true find in Marina Sirtis,” showrunner Gary Glasberg says of the casting. “I’ve always been a Star Trek fan, but Marina really owns this part. And the cast loves her. She’s everything I wanted for the role and then some. We are lucky to have her.” Sirtis will first air sometime in April.
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Since her seven-season, four-movie run as TNG‘s Deanna Troi, Sirtis has guested on non-Trek series such as Girlfriends, Make It or Break It and a 2011 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, in addition to doing loads of voice work (most recently as Young Justice‘s Queen Bee).
TV’s most watched drama resumes Season 10 this Tuesday at 8/7c, with the introduction of McGee’s admiral father (played by Jamey Sheridan).
So excited about this…..loved Marina as Troi on Star Trek:TNG! Now, Malachi and/or Liat have got to come back to help Ziva and Team in the hunt for Bodnar!
Thank you, Matt, for yet another good NCIS spoiler! :-)
Given that Mossad has never allowed a female to hold the top seat in real life, I guess fiction is the only way it could happen. Hope it won’t be as dreadful as when Lauren Holly stepped into the director seat at NCIS — I almost stopped watching! At least she won’t be a weekly character :-(
Love the idea of Marina on NCIS. She now can be a serious actress instead of a Star Trek playboy bunny. Also of interest to be is that I knew 2 Bodnar’s. Doctors from the Ukraine. The husband died at age 42 of a brain hemorrhage. So sad. But maybe NCIS could plan something similar for the character with a dart or whatever.
Marina Sirtis deserved another chance after TNG. But I don’t think she is what the show needs.
Normally a Marina fan but she is out of her depth, rotten accent. Not convincing at all, much rather the brilliant Oded/Bodnar as the Director of Mossad, very authentic.
Thrilled with this casting! Love Marina!
Cool casting. Will be interesting to see how they set up her history/relationship with Ziva….
I think it’s a terrific casting choice, and I’m hoping that she’s NOT enthralled by Ziva. I’d adore friction between the two.
The “Orly” role has a negative and phony vibe. Sorry I’m a
Big fan of Core Di Pablo and her wide ranging acting talents. The dialogue and situations took on a whole new spark when she came to the show.
A female Mossad director. I love this. Good casting. Cannot wait.
Hi Svenja – me too; this should be interesting :)
Some things I’m pondering: What will happen when/if Orli & Ziva finally meet face to face? Will the new Mossad Dir. contribute in reeling Bodnar in one way or another, so that Justice can be served? Is she more on Bodnar’s side, or the side of Justice?
Also, what will the potential twists be? Will the writers have Orli look on Ziva with a favorable eye (you know..do everything she can to help Ziva get Bodnar), or will they have Orli be someone who uses her newly-assigned authority to “get back at Eli” by giving Ziva a hard time? Will she use her power to throw in a lot of political Red Tape gobbledy-gook & complicate matters even more? Hmmmmm….
WOW!!that’s all I’ll say. Can’t wait. Break a leg-welcome.
Way to go Marina! The idea of a female Mosad director and to be played by Marina double score!
Very good and interesting casting call. I wonder what kind of relationship she’ll have with Vance? Personally I want Vance and Ziva to go off the books and take that murderous traitor out…
Me, too!
Wow, this great news for us Marina fans! Marina Sirtis on NCIS!!!
A very “Engaging” choice.
Wouldn’t it be cool if she was Ziva’s mom.
Oooo…That would be so cool. Although, if being Ziva’s mom means she’ll likely die soon, like Ziva’s father, then ‘no thanks’. ;) I’d like to see Marina guest-star more often than that.
I thought Ziva’s mom was already dead?
Jules – Rivka is dead, unfortunately. That topic was covered back in S3, in part 2 of “Kill Ari”. Sometimes I wish she was alive still. :-/
I am so excited for last epsiodes of this season and great guest cast we have in our dea show and I love mossad storuline in NCIS
Hopefully the new director will have an affair with Bodnar and we will see more of him (Bodnar), It’s ashame he wasn’t framed then he could have been the new director. Oded Fehr was awesome as Bodnar, hope he is not killed off and we see more of his talent.
oh yes bring on the talented Oded (Bodnar) as Marina’s lover & she clears him, kudos to Oded in the role of Bodnar, .He was simple brilliant. Would love to see him more in the show.
Who is Budner? And what happen to the NCIS director?
Whoa. Wasn’t expecting to see the former Counselor Troi as Director of Mossad – talk about moving on up! (And just when I was wondering whatever happened to Marina Sirtis.)
Great casting! I admired Marina Sirtis since the STNG days. Make it so!! :)
Who cares. Get Mossad off the damn show already.
Ugh. I love her! And NCIS. Genius casting bit. Thanks so much for this scoop, Matt. :)
This is so great!! I love her! What a great surprise!!!
On another note, I always thought Gates McFadden would make a great 3rd ex-wife for Gibbs lol.
Wow! What a great idea, she is a redhead after all :)
And Wil could be his spiteful former stepson! Woot!
Next Gen reunion on NCIS!! Who’s up for it??
Gates has aged gracefully.. I saw her playing a judge on Franklin and Bash but not much else…
Now Marina just has to hope that Cote re-ups for Season 11 else she will probably never make a return appearance. :)
Nice!
Great casting! Love Marina since TNG! I saw her guest-starring as a Middle-Eastern lady on both The Closer and Grey’s Anatomy, and she was awesome, and very convincing. Can’t wait to watch her first appearance on NCIS…and hopefully, more to come! Does anyone know when is her first airdate?
Yes! Awesome choice! I love love love Marina Sirtis!!
This is fantastic news! I cannot wait for this episode to air and I’m really hoping she’ll be back for the next season.
Please don’t scare me like that !! If Zeva leaves so do I !!!!!
So will I.
no worries – Ziva won’t leave…I’m sure of it….a female Mossad leader- that is gonna be good !! I’m like Tony -but I really mean t….’oh good the Isrealies are back !!!”
Cote’s Hebrew accent is bad enough. I hope Marina’s is better
Marina does a great Israeli accent (also: Tracey Ullman does a perfect Israeli accent, she would be great for a guest spot on the show).