Cote de Pablo will star in CBS' two-part movie "The Dovekeepers."

"The Dovekeepers" is scheduled to air in the time slot after "NCIS," the show in which de Pablo played former Mossad operative Ziva David, reports Yahoo TV. De Pablo exited "NCIS" in 2013 after failed contract negotiations with the network, which resulted in a social media outcry from her devoted fans.

The news surprised de Pablo, who attended a panel presentation at the Television Critics Association winter press tour on Monday with "The Dovekeepers" executive producer Roma Downey, the former star of CBS' "Touched by an Angel."

During the press tour, Downey said the decision was made in hopes de Pablo's outspoken followers will draw attention to the miniseries.

The project is based on Alice Hoffman's 2011 novel of the same name, which dramatizes the Roman Empire siege of the ancient desert fortress of Masada, which is now part of Israel.

Downey initiated "The Dovekeepers" after reading Hoffman's novel and visiting Masada. The story of a persecuted people whose "courage was greater than fear," touched her deeply, she said adding that the TV movie is a love story based around the historical event.

When asked what she's been up to during the press tour, de Pablo said she has "been working," citing "The Dovekeepers" and "The 33," a film about a Chilean mine disaster that also has Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche in its cast.

"I have been living, spending time with my family, which was very important to me," the Chilean-born actress said. "How can I tell stories if I'm not infused by life."

A return to "NCIS" could happen "under the right circumstances," de Pablo said following the panel presentation.

"I think the fact they never killed the character off is very telling," she said.

The CBS TV movie "The Dovekeepers" airs March 31 and April 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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