When did Michael Weatherly leave NCIS? Details from the CBS drama, explored

Michael Weatherly was one of the original cast members of NCIS, who was introduced as Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo in the very first episode of the police procedural drama. As a Senior Field Agent, he worked on various high-stakes cases.

His relationship dynamics with his teammates also became a highlight of the show, especially his on-and-off romance with Special Agent Ziva David. However, like all other original cast members, Michael eventually said goodbye to the show.

Now that he is reprising his role in the spin-off Tony & Ziva, fans are wondering when Michael Weatherly left NCIS. Well, the actor had left the CBS drama in 2016, having last appeared as a series regular in the Season 13 finale.

When did Michael Weatherly leave NCIS?

Michael Weatherly left NCIS after Season 13 Episode 24, Family First, which aired on May 17, 2016. In the show, Tony decided to leave the agency in the aftermath of the apparent death of Ziva David in an attack on her farmhouse.

Tony was devastated and was struggling to process the reality of losing her. He later learned that Ziva had a daughter with him named Tali, who was left alone after her mother’s death. The revelation completely changed his perspective on life.

He decided to focus on Tali and embrace his role as a father. After spending some time with her, he chose to walk away from NCIS. This marked Weatherly’s final appearance in the show as a series regular, but Tony was remembered fondly by his teammates.

Eight years later, he made a guest appearance in Season 21, Episode 2, The Stories We Leave Behind. At the time, he briefly appeared in the show to honor the memory of David McCallum, who played Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, and had recently passed away.

The reason behind Michael Weatherly’s exit from NCIS

Michael Weatherly revealed why he decided to quit the show after 13 long years in multiple interviews in 2016. During an interaction with People, he disclosed that he wanted to spend more time with his young children:

“I think a lot about the kids and the time I get to spend with them now, at this age of four and two-and-a-half, which is such a critical time.”

In another conversation with TV Insider, he revealed that Cote de Pablo’s exit from the show inspired him to take the decision. Along with that, he also felt that he had spent more than enough time on one show:

“[Tony and Ziva's] great dynamic, the badinage and sparring and flirting between those two characters and how they would swing from siblings to near lovers and back to buddies, that was gone. Then I got to the point where I felt I'd stayed at the party for too long.”

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Now, almost a decade later, Weatherly has stepped into the shoes of Anthony once again for NCIS: Tony & Ziva. The show revolves around the fan-favorite couple as they raise their daughter in Europe, away from the dangerous missions of the agency. However, their past soon catches up to them, and they have to travel across the continent to protect their daughter.

For more news and updates about NCIS: Tony & Ziva, stay tuned to Soap Central.

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