NCIS: Tony & Ziva has been, in many ways, a gift for fans. And showrunner John McNamara understands that. In many ways, part of the reason why it has is that McNamara was also a fan of the show—and the dynamic—before he got to make the decisions about what was going to happen to Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David. Fangirlish talked to McNamara about the finale, the setup for the story, and so much more. Most of our conversation is definitely going to have to be held until after you have a chance to watch “Full Circle,” but McNamara did share with us the mindset he brought to NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
“Quick backstory,” he said. “I’ve been friends with Michael Weatherly for like 35 years, like really good friends. So, I obviously watched a lot of NCIS when he was in it, including when they hired Cote [de Pablo]. And just love the dynamic, love the chemistry.”
Which, if you ask us, you can absolutely tell by watching the show. “We started talking about doing a series and possibly setting it in Europe,” McNamara explained, adding, “I just thought, okay, it’s a love story. And love stories don’t really work if the couple is happy. They work better when they’re not together, kind of not happy. And it’s the story, it’s the plot, it’s the danger and the suspense to bring them together, you know. So, I want to make that a kind of journey.”
He has. NCIS: Tony & Ziva has felt like exactly that, a story of us reconnecting with these characters, and the two of them reconnecting with each other. But McNamara wanted to give fans more than what was happening in the present. “I also wanted to fill in why they weren’t married, you know. So, that was the reason for the flashbacks, the 2020 and 2021, was to fill in some blanks.”
A Long-Awaited Reunion: Why Tony & Ziva Returns Matters
If you’ve ever rooted for the pairing of Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David (aka “Tiva”), then the premiere of NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Paramount+ carried a lot of emotional weight. The show brings back two fan-favourites, portrayed by Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, and asks: can this iconic duo find closure, purpose and a future together? The stakes are both intimate and high-octane, mixing romance, legacy and espionage.
Who’s Behind It: Showrunner John McNamara’s Vision
A Fan Turned Storyteller
McNamara admits he was a longtime fan of the original NCIS series and of the Tony/Ziva dynamic. He didn’t step in to simply cash in — he stepped in to craft something meaningful for the fans.
Building a Love Story in the Mid-st of Action
His takeaway? “Love stories don’t really work if the couple is happy.” That conflict, that tension, that push-pull between Tony and Ziva is what he leaned into.
Flashbacks, Trauma and Emotional Depth
Rather than gloss over the past, McNamara chose to fill in the blanks — trauma, missed opportunities, near-marriage, the daughter. The use of flashbacks (2020, 2021) was deliberate.
The Setting: Europe, Family & Undercover Operations
Why Paris? Why Europe?
The series relocates Tony and Ziva to Paris, raising their daughter Tali and navigating a dangerous world. It leverages the exotic backdrop for equal parts romance and suspense.
Parenthood, Partnership and Past Ghosts
They’re now parents together — but that doesn’t make things easy. Older wounds, professional threats, and an uncertain future loom. The spin-off picks up where their previous story left off.
The Finale: “Full Circle” and What It Promises
What We Know So Far
The first season ends on October 23 2025 with the episode titled “Full Circle.” The stakes are high: Tony’s security firm attacked, their daughter in danger, their relationship on the line.
McNamara’s Promise: A Relentless Ride
He says the finale was designed to feel like “a freight train completely out of control.” Underground tunnel sequences, high-stakes action, the full weight of the emotional backstory.
Closure for Tiva? Yes, But Not the End
McNamara’s goal wasn’t simply to tie everything up — it was to satisfy fans while also leaving space for what comes next. That means emotional resolution, but also possibility.
The Emotional Arc: From “Why Did They Break Up?” to “Will They Stay Together?”
The Wedding That Didn’t Happen
Episode 9 revealed why their wedding fell apart — their daughter’s disappearance forced them to confront deeper issues. It was an emotional reveal, not just a plot point.
Trauma, Therapy and Healing
Ziva’s PTSD from earlier storylines is given room here — not healed overnight, but addressed realistically. That’s part of what gives the series depth.
The Romance Revisited
The show doesn’t shy away from romance. The chemistry is still there — but it’s complicated. That’s what makes it compelling.
Fan Service Done Right: Balancing Expectations and Storytelling
A Tribute to the Past
Fans of the original NCIS arc will recognize callbacks: character history, shared jokes, old wounds. But McNamara didn’t re-hash the past; he repurposed it.
New Characters, New Stakes
While Tony and Ziva are central, the world around them is expanded: their daughter Tali, new enemies, global scope. The spin-off isn’t just a nostalgia trip.
Delivering for the Fans Without Compromising the Story
McNamara mentions he knew fans “wouldn’t be super happy with them being apart” so he leaned into the journey. He gave them romance, likability, danger, and emotional authenticity.
Why This Finale Matters for the NCIS-Verse
The broader universe of NCIS has been spinning off into new directions for years. This series stands out because it reunites two legacy characters in a meaningful way — and that matters.
What to Expect from the Finale: Key Themes & Moments
Redemption and Reunion
Expect Tony and Ziva to confront their past — the breakup, the danger, the daughter — and come out changed.
High-Stakes Action Meets Emotional Payoff
Their daughter’s safety, a chase across Europe, tunnels, green-screen arrays — it’s all built to combine spectacle with sentiment.
Relationship Milestones
The journey from partner to parent to lover to survivor. We’ll see moments that tie up loose ends and point to new beginnings.
Open Doors for What Comes Next
While some questions will be answered, not everything will be sealed shut. The show leaves room for what could come after.
The Production Story: How It Was Made
Filming Locations & Challenges
They shot tunnels in Budapest, beach/compound in Spain. Coordinating those shoots underlines the scale.
Stunts, Green Screens & Realism
McNamara mentions an “Array” (a fancy green screen) to keep the actors safe but the emotions real.
Creative Team and Fan Loyalty
With Weatherly and de Pablo as exec producers, the cast wasn’t just brought in — they helped shape the story.
Why This Finale Could Go Viral
Nostalgia + New Story = Sharing Gold
Fans of the original NCIS are watching; so are new viewers drawn by action and romance. That mix is shareable by design.
Emotional Resonance Meets Social Media Moments
Big reveals, long-awaited confessions, epic visuals — these are moments viewers will want to clip, GIF, tweet.
Community Engagement
McNamara built the series for the fans. When you respect your audience, the audience responds.
How Fans Should Watch the Finale
-
Re-watch the flashback heavy episodes (especially ep 9) for context.
-
Pay attention to the little moments between Tony and Ziva — not just explosions.
-
Take note of how their daughter Tali is woven into the stakes.
-
Watch for visual cues: Europe setting, family dynamics, old wounds.
-
After the finale, join the conversation — theories, favourite moments, “what next”.
Will There Be More? What About Season 2?
McNamara won’t count his chickens before they hatch. No official renewal yet. It’s up to the fans (via subscriptions, stream counts) and the network. Either way, the finale needs to satisfy now and leave room for more.
Final Verdict: Will It Deliver Closure?
Yes, it has all the ingredients: legacy characters, emotional stakes, high action, romance and depth. Will it fully satisfy every fan? Maybe not — but it aims to deliver more than surface-level payoff. It’s a send-off built with heart.
Conclusion
The finale of NCIS: Tony & Ziva isn’t just the closing chapter of one story — it’s the moment when years of character arcs, audience expectations and narrative threads converge. Showrunner John McNamara has set out to honour the past, deliver in the present, and leave possibility for the future. If you’ve followed Tony and Ziva’s journey since their original days, this finale is your reward. If you’re new to the story, it’s an intense, emotionally grounded entry into a world where romance, espionage and family collide. Either way — buckle up. It might just bring the closure you’ve been waiting for, and maybe even spark the next adventure.
