Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are set to make a highly anticipated return to the “NCIS” universe, reprising their beloved roles as Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David. The duo will star in a new, yet-to-be-titled spinoff series set in Paris, which will be available on Paramount+. This exciting development comes after Weatherly’s recent return to the flagship CBS series to honor the late David McCallum.
De Pablo exited “NCIS” in 2013, and Weatherly followed suit two years later. Within the show’s narrative, Tony left to raise their daughter, Tali, after Ziva’s presumed death. However, Ziva was later revealed to be alive, leading to her reunion with Tony and Tali in Paris during season 17.
The new series will continue from this point. According to the show’s logline, “When Tony’s security company is attacked, they must go on the run across Europe, try to figure out who is after them and maybe even learn to trust each other again so that they can finally have their unconventional happily ever after.”
Weatherly and de Pablo expressed their excitement in a joint statement: “We’ve been talking about this story for many years, and now with John McNamara at the helm, we are ready. The world of Tony and Ziva (and daughter Tali) promises to be an action-packed roller coaster fueled by love, danger, tears, and laughter. We also want to acknowledge and thank the fans from around the world who supported the ‘TIVA’ movement for years. To this day, they say hello in grocery stores and on the street to tell us how much these characters mean to them and ask what Tony and Ziva are up to now. This is for you.”
The spinoff will be produced by CBS Studios, with John McNamara writing the premiere episode and serving as showrunner. McNamara will also executive produce alongside Weatherly, de Pablo, Laurie Lieser, Christina Strain, and Shelley Meals.
McNamara shared his enthusiasm for the project: “I’m incredibly excited to step into the NCIS universe with Cote and Michael and thrilled to explore it from a few new angles. Given that the franchise is such a global sensation, I think it’s phenomenal that CBS Studios and Paramount+ have given us the green light to shoot in Europe. As to the title of this series, if I told you what it is, I’d be violating the Espionage Act.”
This new series marks the first NCIS show to originate on streaming. The original “NCIS” series is currently in its 21st season on CBS, leading into “NCIS: Hawai’i” on Monday nights. The franchise has also seen success with “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” and the international edition, “NCIS: Sydney,” which premiered last fall.
De Pablo and Weatherly have remained close off-screen, even teaming up in 2018 to executive produce the detective drama “MIA,” which was set up at CBS. Their return to the “NCIS” universe has been a topic of speculation and excitement among fans, especially after Weatherly hinted at a potential reunion in a New Year’s tweet and subsequent social media interactions.
Weatherly, an original cast member of “NCIS,” left the series after 13 seasons to star in the CBS drama “Bull.” De Pablo joined “NCIS” in Season 3 and appeared through Season 10, exiting early in Season 11. Her character was seemingly killed off in Season 13, only to return in 2019, revealing she had gone into hiding.
The new series promises to delve deeper into the lives of Tony and Ziva as they navigate the challenges of being on the run while trying to protect their family. Fans can expect a mix of intrigue, romance, and the picturesque backdrop of Europe, all while the couple faces impossible situations that test their bond.
As the “NCIS” franchise continues to expand, this new spinoff is set to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved characters of Tony and Ziva. With a dedicated fan base eagerly awaiting their return, the series is poised to be an action-packed, emotional journey that honors the legacy of the original show while exploring new horizons.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, USA Today, People