For years, the phrase “Will they ever return?” was the unofficial mantra of the NCIS fandom. It centered on two star-crossed lovers and beloved former agents, Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). Now, with the successful launch of their dedicated Paramount+ spin-off, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the conversation has officially shifted from if they’ll be seen again to when they might make the ultimate, emotional trip back to Washington D.C.—and whether that journey will involve a reunion with their legendary former boss, Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon).
The first season of NCIS: Tony & Ziva has taken fans on a dizzying, action-packed chase across Europe, where the couple has been forced on the run with their daughter, Tali, trying to uncover the conspiracy targeting their family. This European setting, rich with espionage and intrigue, has provided a fresh backdrop, but it has only intensified the fan desire to see them complete the circle and step back into the iconic NCIS Bullpen.
✈️ The Road Home: Why DC is the Endgame
While the European adventure is a fitting setting for two former intelligence operatives with deep international ties, a permanent or even temporary return to Washington D.C. feels like the narrative endgame. For Tony DiNozzo, D.C. is home—the place he spent over a decade learning, loving, and growing under Gibbs. For Ziva, D.C. represents the family she chose, a place of stability after years of trauma.
In recent interviews, both Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo have addressed the clamor for a homecoming. Speaking about the future of their show, the stars—who also serve as executive producers—have been enthusiastically open to the possibility. Weatherly mused that while the first season is firmly set in Europe, the characters could end up anywhere: “We’ve joked around, we could be in Asia. We could be exploring different continents… But if the story took us to Washington, why not?“
This subtle tease is powerful. It confirms that the actors and producers are not ruling out a crossover with the flagship show. A narrative device could easily be introduced—perhaps the conspiracy they are fighting traces back to a file locked in the NCIS mainframe, or a critical piece of intelligence requires the assistance of Director Vance, McGee, or Torres. A reunion with the current Major Case Response Team (MCRT) would not only provide a massive ratings boost but would also deliver a deeply satisfying, full-circle moment for the franchise. The sight of Tony and McGee’s classic banter, or Ziva sharing a knowing look with the new generation of agents, is what the fans are truly craving.
🎣 The Big Catch: Could Gibbs Come Back?
The anticipation for a D.C. return is almost secondary to the fervent hope for a Gibbs (Mark Harmon) cameo. Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the stoic, rule-bending, boat-building former leader of the MCRT, retired to the quiet solitude of Alaska in Season 19. Yet, his presence remains the spiritual heart of the entire NCIS universe.
The good news for fans is that Mark Harmon is still very much involved. He is the executive producer and narrator of the prequel series, NCIS: Origins. Weatherly and de Pablo have confirmed that Gibbs is still a foundational part of the Tony & Ziva narrative, featuring “both overt nods and subtle references” to him.
A crossover wouldn’t necessarily require Gibbs to leave his Alaskan retreat. Imagine a tense moment in the Tony & Ziva plot where the couple hits a dead end. A scene could simply involve Tony making a cryptic satellite call to a remote fishing cabin, a familiar face picking up, and a crucial piece of advice delivered with a classic Gibbs glare and a “Rule #10: Never waste motion.” The emotional impact of that short scene would be enormous, validating Gibbs’s profound influence on his two former agents who have finally found their peace.
A full, in-person return to D.C., while less likely given Harmon’s chosen semi-retirement, would likely be reserved for a massive, franchise-altering event, such as a final-season episode of NCIS or a Tony & Ziva finale that sees the entire universe converge. But even the possibility, kept alive by the stars’ own commentary, is enough to fuel the fan theory machine.
💖 The Tiva Legacy: What a Return Symbolizes
The popularity of NCIS: Tony & Ziva is a testament to the enduring power of these characters. Their relationship was built on years of repressed feelings, life-or-death situations, and undeniable chemistry. Their journey to co-parenting and finding their way back to one another is a major win for fans who believe in the redemptive power of love.
A return to D.C. would be more than just a procedural plot point; it would symbolize closure, healing, and the strength of the NCIS family. It would be Tony and Ziva finally returning home, not as the agents who left under duress, but as a mature, bonded unit ready to face the world—and perhaps even help the team they left behind.
As NCIS: Tony & Ziva continues to explore this new chapter in their lives, the door to the MCRT is clearly being left ajar. Whether it’s a quick case that brings them back to the Navy Yard for a highly anticipated crossover or a final, triumphant return to the place where their story began, the possibility of seeing Tony, Ziva, and even Gibbs together again is the unspoken promise that keeps the NCIS universe spinning. And for fans of the world’s most popular naval crime procedural, that promise is everything.
