Why did Michael Weatherly decide to come back to NCIS after 8 long years? Details explored

NCIS, the CBS military procedural drama that first premiered in 2003, has been a successful show for over two decades. Centered on the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the show follows a team solving cases tied to the Navy and Marine Corps.

Among the original cast was Michael Weatherly, who portrayed Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, an essential character on the Major Case Response Team. DiNozzo was known for his wit, charm, and strong bond with team leader Gibbs. But after season thirteen, Weatherly exited the series. Now, eight years later, he’s making a long-awaited return, but in a spin-off.

Why Michael Weatherly is returning to NCIS after 8 years

Michael Weatherly left NCIS in 2016, citing several reasons for stepping away from the role of Tony DiNozzo. One of the main reasons was the departure of Cote de Pablo, who played Ziva David. Weatherly had greatly enjoyed their on-screen chemistry, and once that ended, the role felt different. Over time, he also grew tired of playing the same character and wanted to explore other creative projects.

At the time of his departure, the show gave DiNozzo a fitting goodbye. The storyline revealed that Tony had a daughter with Ziva, and he left the agency to raise her. This left an opening for the character to return in the future, and fortunately, he is.

After leaving NCIS, Weatherly played the lead role in Bull, another CBS drama. He played Dr. Jason Bull, a psychologist and trial consultant. The show ran for six seasons, giving Weatherly a chance to explore a new role.

He did make a brief return to the NCIS world in season 21, episode 2, titled The Stories We Leave Behind. This episode was a tribute to David McCallum, who played Ducky. Weatherly’s cameo as DiNozzo was short but memorable, paying respect to a long-time co-star and friend.

Now, Weatherly is officially coming back to the NCIS universe in a more permanent way, but not in the original show. He’ll star in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, a new spin-off that will focus on Tony, Ziva, and their daughter, Tali. The story follows the family as they face new challenges while living in Europe.

This will be the first time a spin-off of the original show will center on just two main characters rather than a full team. It’s the franchise’s first project to stream exclusively on Paramount+, rather than air on traditional television. It will be the first time Weatherly and de Pablo will be on screen together since season 11.

With Bull now finished, Weatherly has the chance of. Fans have long hoped for his return, and the timing finally worked out. In a conversation with TVLine back in 2022, NCIS showrunner Steven D. Binder had said,

"Wouldn’t that be great? When [Michael] left NCIS, he said to me, ‘I am never going to do network television again.’ He had just had some kids, and the hours are so long… but then this Bull thing landed in his lap, and again he was working like a fiend. So I suspect — forgetting Tony DiNozzo for a minute — that Michael Weatherly is on vacation."

Binder’s comments show there was no fallout, just the need for a break. Now that Weatherly has had time to reset, he seems ready to dive back into the NCIS universe.

While we don't know if Weatherly will return to the original series, he is returning as Tony in the new spin-off. This indicates that both the actor and CBS are open to continuing his story. While Weatherly needed a break to work on other shows, he is ready to return and will be returning in NCIS: Tony and Ziva on 4th September 2025.

NCIS is streaming on Paramount+.

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