NCIS Showrunner Hints at Original Cast Member’s Return: ‘Let’s Put It This Way…’

Will Tony and Ziva Return to NCIS for Season 22?

While it’s not confirmed, the return of Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) to NCIS Season 22 is a strong possibility. The couple, who are fan favorites, have their own spin-off series titled “NCIS: Tony & Ziva” coming to Paramount+ later this year. This new series picks up after the events of the NCIS Season 13 finale, where Ziva was presumed dead, and Tony left to raise their daughter, Tali. Ziva’s return in the Season 16 finale revealed she had faked her death, leading to her reunion with Tony in Paris.

The spin-off will focus on Tony and Ziva raising their daughter while dealing with the fallout from an attack on Tony’s security company, forcing them to go on the run across Europe. The series promises intrigue, romance, and the scenic backdrop of Europe, blending action with personal drama.

This project marks the first on-screen reunion of Weatherly and de Pablo in over a decade, and filming is set to begin this summer. De Pablo expressed her excitement in a Paramount Instagram video, hinting at the mix of love and complications the show will offer.

Both actors have made individual cameos on NCIS since their departures, but a joint return to the main show is still eagerly anticipated. Co-showrunner Steve D. Binder teased the possibility in a June 2024 interview with TVLine, expressing his enthusiasm for a crossover. He hinted that Michael Weatherly might be open to the idea, though logistical challenges exist since NCIS films in California and the spin-off will be shot in Europe. Additionally, the spin-off will air on Paramount+ rather than CBS.

CBS Studios President David Stapf also hinted at potential crossovers back in March 2024, suggesting there could be appearances from the NCIS cast on the new show and vice versa, though it’s not in the current plan.

Another new series joining the NCIS franchise is “NCIS: Origins,” a prequel set in the 1980s focusing on a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell and narrated by Mark Harmon. While crossovers with the main NCIS show and this prequel are less likely due to the different time periods, Binder remains open to creative possibilities for integrating the various series.