For more than a decade, NCIS fans have waited for this moment—the long-awaited reunion of Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). Now, with the launch of NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Paramount+, that dream has finally come true. But while the European-set series gives fans the romance, espionage, and emotional depth they’ve been craving, the stars behind television’s most electric couple have already set their sights on something even bigger: a reunion that could unite the entire NCIS universe in one unforgettable moment.
And the name on everyone’s lips? Abby Sciuto.
The Return That Changed Everything
NCIS: Tony & Ziva picks up years after their dramatic exits from the original CBS series, following the couple as they navigate a life on the run across Europe while raising their daughter, Tali. It’s a story that blends the heart-pounding intensity of a spy thriller with the emotional intimacy of a love story years in the making.
“We wanted to explore who Tony and Ziva are now,” Weatherly explained in a recent interview. “They’ve survived loss, deception, and distance. What happens when they finally have to live with all that history?”
But even as the series builds a new world for its central couple, fans—and the stars themselves—can’t help but wonder when familiar faces from Washington D.C. might reappear.
The Dream Guest: Abby Sciuto
When asked who their dream NCIS guest star would be, both Weatherly and de Pablo surprised fans with their answer. Rather than Gibbs (Mark Harmon) or McGee (Sean Murray)—the most obvious choices—they pointed to someone whose heart, humor, and unmistakable energy defined the early years of NCIS: Abby Sciuto, the gothic forensic scientist played by Pauley Perrette.
“Abby represents the emotional heartbeat of that original family,” de Pablo shared. “She’s love, loyalty, and a touch of chaos—all the things Tony and Ziva need in their lives again.”
And she’s right. Abby wasn’t just another team member; she was the glue that held the group together. Her deep emotional intelligence and quirky brilliance made her the person everyone turned to in times of crisis.
For Tony, Abby was the only one who truly saw past his wisecracks and playboy façade. She understood his loyalty, his empathy, and the loneliness that often hid behind his smile. For Ziva, Abby was the first person in D.C. to treat her as family, not as an outsider from Mossad.
A cameo from Abby wouldn’t just be fan service—it would be a healing moment, a reminder of the roots Tony and Ziva left behind.
A Cameo With Meaning
Imagine the scene: Tony and Ziva, framed for a crime they didn’t commit, find themselves cornered in a European city. Desperate for help, they reach out to an old friend—Abby. The screen flickers, and there she is, surrounded by computers, her lab now upgraded into a digital command center.
She’s still the same Abby: witty, sharp, and impossibly cool. But there’s gravity in her tone as she helps decrypt files or uncover evidence that could save the couple’s lives. In a few short minutes, she reconnects not only with her friends but with the audience that adored her.
That single appearance could become one of the most powerful moments in NCIS history—bridging the past and present with genuine emotional weight.
What About Gibbs?
Of course, there’s one name that never leaves the conversation: Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
The legendary team leader, portrayed by Mark Harmon, was both a mentor and father figure to Tony and Ziva. His quiet strength, his rules, and his approval shaped who they became as agents—and as people.
Weatherly has openly admitted that Gibbs’s influence still defines Tony’s choices: “There’s always a part of Tony that asks, ‘What would Gibbs do?’”
A Gibbs cameo would need no explosions or elaborate chase scenes. The most powerful moment would be a quiet one—a dim café, two old friends sharing a silent nod across the table. No words, just the understanding that the bond between them endures, no matter the distance or years apart.
It’s the kind of cinematic, emotionally charged moment that would stop fans in their tracks.
Serving the Story, Not Just Nostalgia
What makes Weatherly and de Pablo’s vision so refreshing is that they’re not chasing nostalgia for its own sake. Every cameo, every reference to the past, must serve the story.
“This isn’t about recreating the old magic,” de Pablo said. “It’s about honoring where these characters came from—while showing how far they’ve grown.”
NCIS: Tony & Ziva isn’t a procedural; it’s a serialized adventure with high stakes and even higher emotions. It’s about love forged through chaos, and family found in unlikely places. Bringing in characters like Abby or Gibbs isn’t just a callback—it’s a way to deepen that central journey.
Abby could be the scientist who saves them from being framed. Gibbs could be the moral compass who reminds them who they really are. Each cameo would be purposeful, not perfunctory.
The Future of the NCISverse
With NCIS expanding across multiple platforms—NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Sydney, and now Tony & Ziva—the franchise is entering a new era of storytelling. And for the first time, it feels like the emotional center of that universe is shifting toward the couple fans fought so hard to see reunited.
If Abby Sciuto or Leroy Jethro Gibbs were to reappear, it wouldn’t just be another crossover. It would be the culmination of twenty years of shared history—one that celebrates the endurance of found family, loyalty, and love in the face of impossible odds.
“NCIS has always been about connection,” Weatherly reflected. “No matter where you are in the world, that family never really leaves you.”
In the end, whether Abby, Gibbs, or McGee walks through that door, the message is clear:
The world of NCIS may keep expanding, but its heart still beats for the family that started it all—Tony, Ziva, and the ties that bind them to the home they’ll never truly leave behind.
