‘NCIS’ Stars Voice Serious Concerns Over ‘Tony and Ziva’ Spinoff – What They’re Afraid Of Might Shock You!
Not everyone is thrilled about the upcoming NCIS spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva. The Paramount+ series, which will feature Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo reprising their beloved roles, began filming in Budapest earlier this summer. While the actors are excited and some of their former NCIS co-stars have expressed interest in appearing in the show, there are reportedly concerns among some of the cast members about the new spinoff.
“Ratings for the main show have dipped this year, and some stars are worried that bringing back Michael in a new format could make their show obsolete,” an insider told Life & Style. Weatherly, who played Tony DiNozzo for the first 13 seasons of the original series, has been the subject of return rumors ever since his departure. He made a brief comeback for the Ducky tribute episode in February, which delighted fans, and shortly afterward, the Tiva spinoff was announced. Cote de Pablo, who portrayed Ziva David from Season 3 through Season 11, returned for a brief arc in Seasons 16 and 17.
Tony & Ziva will follow the characters as they go on the run across Europe with their tween daughter, Tali, after Tony’s security company is attacked. This marks the franchise’s second international spinoff, following NCIS: Sydney. “They were both hugely popular characters, and producers hope that placing them in an exotic new setting will revitalize the franchise,” the insider explained. “It’s clear the network is concerned about the main show’s declining viewership. The idea of Michael and Cote leading a new series has some of the old show’s cast members worried about their job security.”
Since NCIS airs on CBS and NCIS: Tony & Ziva will be on Paramount+, there’s technically no direct competition between the two shows. However, with NCIS having been on air for over 20 years, its viewership has naturally dwindled. The new spinoff presents an opportunity to refresh the franchise with a different format, which could set the stage for a new era of NCIS. It’s still early days, though, and with the series yet to premiere, it’s hard to predict its impact.
On a positive note, there had been rumors of tension between Michael Weatherly and Mark Harmon, so now, with his own series, the Bull alum is reportedly eager to embrace this new chapter. “Michael doesn’t want anyone to lose their jobs,” the insider claimed, “but he likes the idea of proving that he doesn’t need Mark.” Fans will have to wait and see how NCIS: Tony & Ziva fares when it premieres on Paramount+ in the near future.
