

A longtime fan-favorite character made a shocking return in NCIS's Season 16 finale, as Cote de Pablo's Ziva David barged into Gibbs's (Mark Harmon) basement in the last minute of the finale to deliver a warning.

Naturally, we expected her to return for the Season 17 premiere to give us some answers about why Gibbs is in danger and from whom, but it turns out we may be getting a bit more time with her than expected. TV Guide has confirmed that Cote de Pablo will return as Ziva for four episodes this season — in addition to the first two episodes of Season 17, she'll guest star in two episodes later in the season, which are set to air later in the fall and in early winter.

CBS's Fall 2019 TV Schedule

"This surprise moment is just the beginning," said showrunners Frank Cardea and Steven D. Binder in a previous statement about Ziva's shocking return in the Season 16 finale. "We are thrilled to share that Cote de Pablo will guest star in the NCIS Season 17 premiere this fall as Ziva's warning to Gibbs unfolds."

NCIS returns Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 8/7c on CBS.

(Disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation.)