Michael Weatherly is coming back to NCIS in a big way. The actor will return as Tony DiNozzo for a season-long arc in NCIS Season 24, which premieres on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 8/7c on CBS.
This marks Weatherly’s first full season back on the flagship series since he left in 2016 after 13 seasons. He briefly returned in 2024 for a tribute episode honoring the late David McCallum, and later starred alongside Cote de Pablo in the Paramount+ spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
The spinoff was canceled after just one season, but Tony’s story is continuing on the mothership show.
Why Tony DiNozzo Is Back in Washington D.C.
Tony’s return is not just a quick visit. According to executive producer Steven D. Binder, Tony’s private security firm Salus Mondiale is now thriving, and he is opening a satellite office in Washington, D.C..
“While trying to drum up new clients for his upstart satellite office, an old contact of Tony’s picks up some chatter involving NCIS. Tony is, of course, intrigued and decides to pay his old friends a surprise visit,” Binder told TV Insider.
The reunion does not go smoothly. Binder explained that Tony finds himself in the middle of a “five-alarm fire”. Once the situation is resolved, the Pentagon decides they need Tony’s help, and since he was already planning to stay in D.C. to be closer to his daughter, he agrees to stick around.
Where Is Ziva David in NCIS Season 24
Cote de Pablo is not returning as Ziva David for NCIS Season 24. CBS confirmed her absence ahead of Tony’s comeback.
The show has addressed where Ziva is. Binder said she is “a couple hours away” from D.C., staying near the boarding school their daughter Tali now attends.
“The way we address it is Ziva’s hanging out in the town where her daughter is, doing a little helicopter parenting, and Tony’s helicopter parenting in D.C.,” Binder told TVLine.
Binder also shared his thoughts on Tony and Ziva’s relationship status. “Loving each other was never an issue. The problem has always been, can they be together without killing each other? And that’s the question that still needs to be answered,” he said. He added that Ziva’s “presence will definitely be felt” this season, even if she does not appear on screen.
Tony DiNozzo’s New Role and Storyline
Tony is returning to a very different NCIS team than the one he left. The current cast includes Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres, Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer, Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines, Katrina Law as Jessica Knight, and Gary Cole as Alden Parker.
Weatherly will be part of a season-long arc, which is unusual for returning characters on the show. The new season trailer shows Tony telling McGee, “It’s a new me”. Binder explained that Tony has grown since becoming a parent.
“He’s still the charismatic, quick-witted DiNozzo fans know and love, but now he’s also a parent navigating life with a daughter, which has given him a little more perspective, maturity, and emotional depth,” Binder told Entertainment Weekly.
The trailer also teases that Tony is working as a “very special non-agent” while investigating something serious in D.C..
What Happened in NCIS: Tony & Ziva
The Paramount+ spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva premiered in 2025 and ran for 10 episodes. The show followed Tony and Ziva living in Paris with their daughter, Tali, as they navigated co-parenting and dangerous missions.
The series ended with Tony and Ziva choosing to work through their issues and pursue a relationship, with Tali’s blessing. Paramount+ canceled the show after one season in December 2025.
Weatherly and de Pablo released a joint statement after the cancellation. “We feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to play these characters once again and to tell the next chapter of Tony and Ziva’s story,” they said. The actors also thanked the fans “who joined us on this adventure and finally got to see Tony and Ziva find their happily ever after”.
How Fans Are Reacting to Tony’s Return
Social media reactions to Weatherly’s return have been mostly positive, but many fans are asking about Ziva. Under the announcement post, one fan wrote, “WHAT?!?!? You better be bringing @cotedepablo with you!”. Another commented, “It better be both Tony and Ziva! They should haven’t canceled their spinoff”.
Sean Murray, who plays McGee, shared a short reaction on Instagram. He posted two words: “Uh oh”. Many fans replied to his comment using the nickname “probie,” which refers to McGee’s early days on the team when Tony often teased him.
Related:
NCIS Season 24 Release Details and Where to Watch
NCIS Season 24 premieres on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 8/7c on CBS. The premiere kicks off a three-hour block of NCIS programming.
- NCIS Season 24 airs at 8/7c on CBS
- NCIS: Origins Season 3 follows at 9/8c
- NCIS: New York, a new spinoff featuring LL Cool J as Sam Hanna, airs at 10/9c
New episodes will air weekly on Tuesdays. The show streams on Paramount+ for viewers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other international markets where the service is available. NCIS: Sydney is also set to return for Season 4 on Paramount+ at midseason.
Also Read: NCIS Season 24 Cast Shakeup: Wilmer Valderrama Teases Major Changes and New Additions
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