<P> Michael Weatherly was cast for the role of Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo in 2003 and appeared in every episode of the show's first 13 seasons . The character is portrayed as "complex": he is a former Baltimore homicide detective with a "heroic spirit" as well as a "total dinosaur in terms of sexual politics". </P> <P> In the second season finale, NCIS series regular Caitlin Todd was killed off after Sasha Alexander, her portrayer, decided to permanently leave the show . Shortly afterwards, series creator Donald P. Bellisario voiced intentions to replace Todd with another female lead, whom he stated would be "someone foreign who brings a whole new attitude". He expressed hopes that the new character would be drastically different from Todd, who was "kind of uptight". </P> <P> One aspect Bellisario wanted to change was the way the character would interact with Tony . Though Tony and Kate had a "wonderful dynamic", he ultimately thought that "(she) treated (him) like a big brother" and decided "to bring in a character that causes Tony to have to sit back and not quite be able to handle her". </P> <P> Cote de Pablo, who was one of the last to audition, was set to perform opposite Michael Weatherly to test for chemistry . Weatherly improvised during the audition by brushing her hair back and commenting, "You remind me of Salma Hayek ." De Pablo, who was initially upset by the departure from the script, stayed in character and "dismissed him completely". She later said in an interview, "He totally did it with the other (actresses). One other girl sort of flirted back with him, and she was sort of open . Which is what actors do! They're sort of open . But I got lucky and got the part because I responded the way they felt was right ." </P>

What did tony dinozzo say to ziva david