Fans of “NCIS” have waited over a decade for this moment. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are officially back together on-screen for the highly anticipated Paramount+ spinoff, “NCIS: Tony & Ziva,” which premieres September 4. The show marks the first time the two actors have reprised their roles since the beginning of season 11 of the long-running CBS hit.
Beloved Duo Returns in ‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’
In the new series, Tony DiNozzo (Weatherly) and Ziva David (de Pablo) are raising their daughter, Tali, in Paris. Their peaceful life is shattered when Tony’s security company is attacked, forcing the couple to go on the run across Europe. As they fight to survive, they’ll not only need to uncover who is behind the threat but also learn to trust one another again—all while protecting their daughter.
“This is really a Tony and Ziva show,” de Pablo told PopCulture.com. “We went through many incantations of a name for this show … and I think Paramount and CBS settled on Tony and Ziva because that was the most recognizable thing for the franchise. Fans could identify immediately and know exactly what it’s about.”
‘Tony & Ziva’ Is a Mix of Action, Romance, and Family
Weatherly described the series as a unique blend of romance and high-stakes action. “It’s really fast-paced, rome-action, as they are gonna say romance and action,” he shared. “It draws from the mothership and from its genes … an energy that is light and fun, but with some heavy undertones.”
The series was filmed largely in Budapest, Hungary, with additional footage shot in Paris to ground the story in its European setting. De Pablo said filming abroad was a dream: “We always felt that’s truthfully where it should live … to see it and feel it was really important, because the audience will see it visually, but they’ll also feel it.”
Parenting will also be central to the new spinoff. “Parenting is, of course, the most beautiful thing in the world, but it’s also really challenging,” de Pablo explained. “In this case … there’s a confrontation between parenting. It’s the exploration of two people obviously loving each other, but protecting this child, first and foremost.”
New Characters Join the ‘NCIS’ Universe
“NCIS: Tony & Ziva” introduces a fresh ensemble cast alongside Weatherly and de Pablo, including Amita Suman, Maximilian Osinski, Lara Rossi, Isla Gie, Nassima Benchicou, Julian Ovenden, Terence Maynard, and James D’Arcy.
De Pablo noted that by the middle of season 1, the ensemble really begins to shine. “We felt very connected to our cast from the get-go … they brought the best forward, and we had a lot of fun. I think all of that will become very palpable as the audience keeps watching,” she said.
The first three episodes of “NCIS: Tony & Ziva” drop September 4 on Paramount+, with new episodes released weekly.
