It’s been more than a decade since Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David lit up the screen as the most electric pairing in the NCIS universe. Now, after years spent in hiding — and apart — the two are back. But this time, the stakes are even higher, the danger more personal, and the love… complicated.
The Return Fans Have Waited a Decade For
After years of longing, fan petitions, cryptic tweets, and podcast teases, the impossible is finally happening. Tony and Ziva — the NCIS power couple that defined a generation of procedural drama — are coming home, though their home now is a sleek, globe-trotting spy thriller airing on Paramount+ this fall.
Titled simply “NCIS: Tony and Ziva,” the limited series reunites Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo as co-stars and co-executive producers, proving that this isn’t just a nostalgia trip — it’s a carefully built extension of the legacy they helped shape.
And yes, their daughter Tali, now played by Isla Gie, is at the emotional center of it all.
When Does the Spy Game Begin?
Mark your calendars: September 4, 2025, is the launch date, and Paramount+ will drop the first three episodes in one go, followed by new installments every Thursday. The final episode airs October 23, capping off what insiders are already calling one of the most ambitious spin-offs in franchise history.
Filmed across Europe and Africa, the series leans into the international thriller vibe — with high-tech espionage, shifting loyalties, mysterious enemies, and, of course, the still-burning chemistry between Tony and Ziva.
In a joint statement after filming wrapped, Weatherly and de Pablo teased, “Returning to these roles together on screen after more than a decade has been an unforgettable journey packed with lies, spies, danger, desire… and self-driving murder cars. (Don’t worry, that last one will make sense soon).”
What’s the Plot — and Why Are Tony & Ziva Apart?
Yes, you read that correctly. The show opens with Tony and Ziva separated — emotionally and geographically. Though they’re co-parenting young Tali, their once-passionate relationship has cooled under the weight of “normal life.” Both now work in the private sector, far from their NCIS past. But that life doesn’t stay quiet for long.
A cyberattack worth over €100 million rocks Tony’s security firm — and he and Ziva are framed for it. Suddenly, Tali’s life is in danger, and the two ex-agents are thrown back into a world of violence, betrayal, and international intrigue.
Cue the high-speed chases through Lisbon, encrypted phone calls in Marrakesh, and late-night heart-to-hearts in crumbling safe houses as the trio runs for their lives and tries to uncover which old enemy wants them gone for good.
Despite their differences, the old flame rekindles, even as they dodge bullets and Tali demands answers. But the biggest questions loom:
Can Tony and Ziva survive this — and do they still believe in each other enough to start over?
Meet the Cast of Allies and Enemies
Alongside Weatherly, de Pablo, and Gie, the series introduces a host of new faces:
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Amita Suman as Claudette Caron, Tony’s brilliant but enigmatic CTO
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Maximilian Osinski as Boris, a Russian hacker with unclear motives
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Lara Rossi as Sophie Summers, Tali’s seemingly perfect nanny with a secretive past
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Julian Ovenden as Jonah, Interpol’s Secretary General who may not be what he seems
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Terence Maynard as Dr. Lang, Ziva’s family therapist
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James D’Arcy, Nassima Benchicou, and others round out the international ensemble.
Expect moral ambiguity, double agents, and potential betrayals — maybe even from someone inside their tight inner circle.
Who’s Behind the Scenes?
The powerhouse team includes:
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Shelley Meals, showrunner and EP (formerly of Shadow and Bone),
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John McNamara, (The Magicians, Aquarius),
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Christina Strain, (The Magicians, Shadow and Bone),
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Directors Mairzee Almas and Valerie Weiss leading the first four episodes.
Writers include a diverse and globally minded group, ensuring the story reflects the complexity of a fractured relationship and a web of international conspiracy.
Two Trailers, One Internet Meltdown
When the first trailer dropped, fans exploded — 93 million views in just 48 hours. The clip teased major revelations: Ziva and Tony living apart, Tali in danger, and the two still not ready to admit how much they love each other.
A second, extended Comic-Con trailer dove deeper, teasing Ziva’s past trauma, Tali’s emotional awakening, and a globe-hopping narrative more akin to Mission: Impossible than your typical NCIS.
Will Any OG NCIS Faces Appear?
Though no cameos are confirmed, Sean Murray (McGee), Brian Dietzen (Palmer), and Wilmer Valderrama (Torres) have all teased interest on Weatherly and de Pablo’s “NCIS Rewatch” podcast. And with Interpol and Director Vance’s world potentially intersecting with the plot, don’t be surprised if some familiar faces pop up — or if old enemies return from the shadows.
Where to Stream It All
Want to revisit Tony and Ziva’s epic romance? Every NCIS season is streaming on Paramount+, alongside NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Sydney, and yes, even JAG. You’ll also find episodes scattered across Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Pluto TV.
But “Tony and Ziva” will be a Paramount+ exclusive — the only place you can watch the full ten-episode rollercoaster.
The Final Chapter — or Just the Beginning?
Though billed as a limited series, whispers around CBS suggest that if viewership meets expectations, “Tony and Ziva” could return for a second season — or even launch a wider NCIS: Europe franchise.
Whatever happens next, one thing’s clear: Tony and Ziva’s story isn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Will they survive the hunt? Will they fall in love again? Will we finally get that happy ending fans have waited a decade for?
