Michael Weatherly, best known for his role as Anthony D. “Tony” DiNozzo, Jr. in ‘NCIS,’ left the series in 2016, where he had appeared in over 300 episodes. His departure marked the end of his long-standing presence on the show, as Tony chose to focus on raising the daughter he had with Ziva David. Showrunner Gary Glasberg discussed Weatherly’s exit from ‘NCIS,’ acknowledging the challenge of replacing such a significant character:
“Michael Weatherly has been an enormous part of NCIS from Day 1. I can’t replace Michael Weatherly. But, what I can do is continue to move forward and come up with new characters, stories, and find new ways to let the remaining cast evolve, come up with new, exciting things and perspectives for us to continue to dig into and peel back the layers. It’s not easy to say goodbye.”
Following his exit from ‘NCIS,’ Weatherly took on the lead role in the series ‘Bull,’ which began in 2016 and concluded after six seasons in 2022. Weatherly explained that the transition to ‘Bull’ came at the right time for him, saying, “I was burnt out by NCIS, and I was ready for a new challenge. Sometimes, change is as good as rest.”
After ‘Bull,’ Weatherly’s next career move remains uncertain. While it would be a dream for many fans to see him return as Tony DiNozzo in ‘NCIS,’ the likelihood of that happening for Season 21 is uncertain. Rumors have circulated about his potential return, with the added condition that he returns alongside Cote de Pablo (Ziva David) and Robert Wagner (who played his father on the show). However, these rumors remain unconfirmed, and negotiations appear to be challenging, according to inside sources.
While the idea of Weatherly’s return is tantalizing for fans, it’s also met with some hesitation. Some sources suggest that the current ‘NCIS’ cast might prefer to see Mark Harmon return as Leroy Jethro Gibbs instead of Weatherly. As of now, whether Weatherly will make a comeback remains speculative, and if it does happen, it would undoubtedly be a momentous event for both fans and the cast.