Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo reunite for the long-awaited Tony & Ziva spinoff on Paramount+, transforming unfinished stories and undeniable chemistry into a thrilling new chapter that reignites fan excitement and promises to blend high-stakes drama with heartfelt character revelations.

Tony & Ziva's Michael Weatherly & Cote Di Pablo INTERVIEW Each Other |  Spilling the E-Tea

The world of NCIS is about to expand once more, and this time it comes with the return of two of the franchise’s most beloved characters.

Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, who for years captivated audiences as the fiery duo of Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David, are stepping back into the spotlight in their own spinoff series for Paramount+.

The highly anticipated show, simply titled Tony & Ziva, will premiere with its first three episodes on Thursday, September 4, followed by weekly installments every Thursday until the season finale on October 23.

In a special interview released this week, Weatherly and de Pablo sat down to interview each other, giving fans a glimpse into their chemistry both on and off screen.

The two actors reflected on their early days working together on NCIS and revealed what they really thought of each other when they first met.

“I remember thinking, this guy is way too charming for his own good,” de Pablo said with a laugh, teasing her longtime co-star.

Weatherly shot back with a grin: “And I thought, wow, here comes someone who’s going to outsmart me in every scene.”

The banter was vintage Tony and Ziva—playful, sharp, and laced with the kind of warmth that made their characters’ slow-burn relationship one of television’s most popular storylines.

TONY & ZIVA stars Michael Weatherly & Cote de Pablo share their favorite  NCIS episodes | TV Insider

Fans, who have long clamored for the pair to reunite, took to social media to celebrate the announcement, with hashtags like #TonyAndZiva and #NCISUniverse trending within hours.

The new series will reportedly follow Tony and Ziva as they navigate life outside the rigid structure of NCIS.

Having left their official roles behind, the couple must now confront a mix of personal challenges and dangerous cases that continue to pull them back into the world of espionage and high-stakes intrigue.

Details of the plot remain tightly guarded, but insiders suggest the show will blend the procedural drama fans expect with a more personal exploration of Tony and Ziva’s relationship as partners, parents, and fugitives from their own pasts.

For Paramount+, the spinoff represents both a gamble and an opportunity.

The NCIS franchise has remained a reliable ratings juggernaut for CBS since its debut in 2003, spawning several offshoots, including NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai‘i.

But Tony & Ziva marks the first time the streaming platform has fully banked on the chemistry of two former stars to lead a standalone series.

Industry analysts say the move could be a strategic attempt to pull loyal broadcast viewers into the streaming ecosystem.

Weatherly, who left NCIS in 2016 before starring in his own CBS legal drama Bull, said he was ready to return to the role that defined much of his career.

“Tony has always lived in me,” he admitted during the interview.

 

'NCIS: Tony & Ziva': On Set With Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo  (Exclusive)

 

“I walked away for a while, but the character never walked away from me.

Coming back to him, especially alongside Cote, feels like picking up a conversation we never really finished.”

De Pablo, who originally departed NCIS in 2013 before returning for a surprise arc in 2019, echoed the sentiment.

“Ziva’s story was unfinished,” she said.

“We left her in a place where there were so many questions.

This show gives us the chance to answer them in a way that’s meaningful and, I hope, satisfying to the fans who never stopped believing in her.”

The reunion is already fueling speculation about possible appearances from other NCIS veterans.

While producers have remained tight-lipped, fans are hopeful that characters like Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) or Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) might make cameo appearances.

One fan on Twitter wrote, “If Gibbs shows up for even a single scene, I’ll lose my mind.

This is the crossover we’ve waited years for.”

 

Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly reprise beloved roles for "NCIS: Tony &  Ziva"

 

Behind the scenes, the production is said to be as ambitious as any in the franchise.

Shooting has taken place across multiple international locations, including parts of Europe, to reflect Tony and Ziva’s more global lifestyle.

“We wanted the series to feel bigger, more cinematic,” explained showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal.

“This isn’t just a continuation of NCIS.

It’s its own world, with its own tone, while still staying true to what fans love.”

The return of Tony and Ziva comes at a time when nostalgia-driven reboots and revivals are dominating the entertainment industry.

But unlike many projects that struggle to recapture the magic of their predecessors, Tony & Ziva arrives with two leads whose on-screen chemistry has never been in question.

 

NCIS: Tony & Ziva': Michael Weatherly & Cote de Pablo Go Inside Filming  Reunion

 

“They’re lightning in a bottle,” one CBS executive reportedly said.

“We couldn’t not make this show.”

As the premiere date draws closer, anticipation is reaching fever pitch.

For longtime NCIS fans, the promise of watching Tony and Ziva together again isn’t just another spinoff—it’s the revival of one of television’s most iconic partnerships.

And if their candid, laughter-filled interview is any indication, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are ready to deliver exactly what audiences have been waiting for.

On September 4, the wait ends.

Tony and Ziva are back.

And this time, the story is theirs.