There has been a reveal about NCIS: Tony & Ziva that hints the spinoff has a longevity challenge. The spinoff was first announced in February 2024 by Paramount+, which will be the exclusive platform host of the show. The series premieres September 4th, 2025, with three episodes dropping, and new episodes released weekly on Thursdays. The season finale is scheduled for October 23rd.
The show has been highly anticipated, as the last time fans saw Tony and Ziva together in NCIS was in season 11, and Ziva’s last mention was in season 17 when it was reported that she faked her death. Now the duo are poised to figure out their will they/won’t they relationship as they raise their daughter in Europe while on the run from a new threat.
There are many trajectories the series could take to ensure its longevity, but a recent comment from Ziva actress, Cote de Pablo, hints that the expected main hook may have to change sooner than expected.
Tony & Ziva’s Relationship Conflict Is A Main Point Of Interest In The Original Show
During an interview with ScreenRant, Cote de Pablo stated her conditions for agreeing to do the Tony & Ziva spinoff.
“There was one thing that I told Michael, I said, I’m not interested in telling the story if, in the end, there is not some sort of happy something, you know? I think they deserve a… But! Before we get to that again, we have to earn it. So we’re going to see them go through a lot of stuff.”
Many viewers think it’s weird that the pair are still not together, and also believe there is no point in the spinoff if they don’t get together. The reception of the show will depend on how de Pablo’s happy ending is presented. The trailer previews some spicy moments between the duo, but that doesn’t necessarily point to the transformative and honest place they need to get to in order to have a functioning relationship, especially since their daughter, Tali is at the center.
De Pablo’s comments don’t mean that in order for Tony and Ziva to have a happy ending, they need to be together. But without a clear path forward together or split, NCIS: Tony & Ziva risks not having an engaging enough plot involving the two.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Has To Rethink How To Achieve Longevity With A Happy Ending
Were Tony & Ziva to take the happy, cohesive avenue to end season 1, then the longevity of the series is at stake. NCIS fans want to see the pair together due to the lengthy anticipation, but there needs to be another element to make their happy ending interesting.
Given de Pablo’s parameters for the Ziva and Tony, showrunners are going to have to rethink how they want to illustrate and convey the aim of the show. If Tony and Ziva don’t have situationship drama, then the relationship arc reach the series can focus on diminishes. NCIS: Tony & Ziva has a lot of potential, but it needs to look beyond a happy ending in season 1.
