Two fan-favoriteNCIScharacters return to the franchise in the spinoffNCIS: Tony & Ziva, and its promising timeline should atone for the mistakes the original series made regarding Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo and Ziva David’s relationship. TheNCISfranchise is continuously expanding (on CBS and Paramount+), and the aforementioned spinoff serves as a blast from the past. As its title suggests,NCIS: Tony & Zivabrings back Michael Weatherly as Tonyand Cote de Pablo as Ziva tocontinue the couple’s story on Paramount+.The new show is undoubtedly a gift to fans but also fixesNCIS’s past errors.
NCIS: Tony & Zivadoesn’t have an official release date, but it is expected to premiere sometime in 2025 on Paramount+. The cast and crew began filming the spinoff’s episodes in Budapest in June 2024.
While Tony and Ziva’s romance was among the best inthe TV showNCIS, their journey didn’t exactly have a perfect ending. At least, it wasn’t satisfactory for some viewers. Weatherly exited the CBS military police procedural series following the season 13 finale, and de Pablo left at the beginning of season 11 before briefly returning in seasons 16 and 17 (when Tony was long gone). As a result, both of their characters' endings were somewhat disappointing and Tony and Ziva’s stories were intertwined. However,NCIS: Tony & Zivashould be able to make up for all the mistakes the parent show made.
Why Tony & Ziva’s NCIS Story Was So Frustrating
The Couple’s Ending Wasn’t Satisfying
Tony and Ziva’sromance is among the best slow-burns on TV, but it was also one of the longest. TheNCIScouple’s will-they/won’t-they relationship grew tiresome as the seasons passed, and it didn’t even have a great ending that could make the long wait worth it. After more than a decade,Tony and Ziva’s story seemingly ended when she presumably “died” offscreenin the season 13 finale, “Family First.” The couple didn’t exactly run off into the sunset together, even when Ziva returned from the dead.
NCIS: Tony & Zivawill be all about [Michael] Weatherly and [Cote] de Pablo’s characters, and the spinoff can deliver on the romance between Tony and Ziva thatNCISdidn’t show.
As many remember, Ziva faked her death and went into hiding to protect Tony and their daughter, Tali. However,Ziva returned inNCISseason 17to neutralize the threat. Consequently,Ziva reunited with Tony and Tali in Paris(where they moved after Ziva’s “death”). The reunion happened offscreen, though, which takes a lot away from Tony and Ziva’s happy ending.
NCIS' Tony & Ziva Spinoff Confirms An Exciting Trend That Totally Changes The Franchise
The official NCIS: Tony & Ziva casting update confirms this fascinating franchise trend, which is expanding the franchise in one critical way.
If a TV show couple (who has been on said series for a long time) doesn’t share their first real onscreen kiss until season 11, one would expect there to be a pay-off from the wait. Instead,fans were robbed of witnessing Tony and Ziva finally fully giving in to their feelings and committing to one another.The good news is that Paramount+‘sNCIS: Tony and Zivacan redeem Tony and Ziva’s annoyingNCISending.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Will Deliver On The Romance That The Flagship Series Failed To Show
The Spinoff Can Focus A Lot More On Tony & Ziva
During a MIPCOM panel, a clip fromNCIS: Tony & Zivawas shown, and Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly teased what’s to come in the spinoff. According toDeadline, the panelrevealedNCIS: Tony & Ziva’s place in the franchise’s timeline.The series will pick up right after Ziva’s “death"and Tony and Tali’s move to Paris. So, the spinoff won’t skip over this pivotal period in the couple’s story. However, the premiere will eventually get to Ziva’s resurrection and reunion with Tony and Tali, meaning there will be plenty of time for the romance fans didn’t get to see in the original show.
James D’Arcy
Henry
The first season ofNCIS: Tony & Zivawill also be doing a lot of catch-upto inform viewers about what Tony and Ziva have been up to in the years they have been missing fromNCIS. This is necessary as the firstNCISTV showfrustratingly never showed the couple’s happy ending. It also failed to take advantage of the couple’s biggest moments. Thankfully,NCIS: Tony & Zivawill be all about Weatherly and de Pablo’s characters, and the spinoff can deliver on the romance between Tony and Ziva thatNCISdidn’t show.
How Tony & Ziva Will Be Different In The NCIS Spinoff Than In The Original Series
It Has Been A Long Time Since Fans Have Seen Tony & Ziva Together
A lot has happened to Tony and Ziva since fans last saw them inNCIS. They have been busy raising their daughter, and Tony opened a security business. However, when his place of work is attacked,the family must go on the run across Europe,which is whenNCIS: Tony & Ziva’s storytruly starts. At the show’s MIPCOM panel, de Pablo teased:
“We haven’t seen these characters since 2013 and I think the fans have always wanted to see what happened between them. In our first season, they’re going to get a fix of what has happened.”
It shouldn’t surprise the audience if Tony and Ziva have changed in the years since they reunited in Paris. Hopefully, by the spinoff picking up whereNCISleft off with their story, viewers experience all the transitions in the couple’s life. Whatever the case,NCIS: Tony & Zivawill make up for the original show’s mistakes by emphasizing Tony and Ziva’s romance.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva
Cast
NCIS: Tony & Ziva follows former NCIS agents Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they navigate danger across Europe. When Tony’s security company is attacked, the pair must uncover their pursuers and rekindle their trust to secure a future together. Set to be released in 2025, the series ties together personal and professional intrigue.
