Why Michael Weatherly's Tony DiNozzo Left NCIS

Updated Aug 22, 2026, 1:15 PM EDT Nadica (pronounced Na-dee-tsa) is an author that specializes in NCIS at ScreenRant. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a double major in English and sociology and a minor in French. She has also written for several online publications, including Reader Views and Her Campus, which she contributed toward during her time at WLU. She has always loved writing and dabbles in prose and poetry as well. Besides her career as a writer, Nadica is an enthusiastic entrepreneur. She is a very crafty person and loves a good DIY project. When she is not watching romance or crime dramas, you can find her typing away at her laptop or practicing one of her many hobbies. Michael Weatherly's NCIS departure as Tony DiNozzo Jr. rocked the long-running procedural. A member of Leroy Jethro Gibbs' (Mark Harmon) original Major Case Response Team that debuted in JAG, the character became one of the pillars of the series. Known for his silly antics mixed with his understated investigative skills, it's understandable how losing Dinozzo was a major turning point for NCIS. One of the factors in Weatherly's decision to leave was the loss of the dynamic between NCIS' Tony and Ziva. The actor missed the onscreen chemistry between the NCIS characters and working with Cote de Pablo. Beyond that, Weatherly felt like he had already outgrown his NCIS role after 13 years, prompting him to pursue other projects — something that he eventually did on the heels of his career-defining role as MCRT's Very Special Agent. Michael Weatherly Left To Star In Bull Weatherly Played Dr. Jason Bull When Michael Weatherly left the long-running CBS procedural, his character was given a compelling send-off storyline. Tony DiNozzo exited MCRT after learning that he and Ziva had a daughter together. With the belief that his old partner was dead, he took it upon himself to focus on raising their kid, Tali, away from his dangerous job, while also getting to the bottom of her mother's disappearance. Weatherly was not inactive since leaving NCIS. After walking away from the role of Dinozzo, he started playing Jason Bull in his very own CBS project, Bull. As sad as it was to see him go, it was understandable why he wanted out of the series. He dedicated over a decade of his life to the role, and he felt like he was ready for a change. Several years later, Mark Harmon's exit NCIS season 19 echoed a similar sentiment. NCIS Showrunner Steven D. Binder Has Been Keen For A Tony DiNozzo Return NCIS Would Be More Than Happy To Welcome Tony Back After the Bull was over, many NCIS fans were hoping that Michael Weatherly would make a major comeback on the show — and showrunner Steven D. Binder would not mind. In an interview with TVLine, Binder made positive remarks about the actor. When asked whether Michael Weatherly would return to NCIS, Binder had this to say: "Wouldn’t that be great? When [Michael] left NCIS, he said to me, ‘I am never going to do network television again.’ He had just had some kids, and the hours are so long… but then this Bull thing landed in his lap, and again he was working like a fiend. So I suspect — forgetting Tony DiNozzo for a minute — that Michael Weatherly is on vacation." A Tony DiNozzo return would always require both the actor and the studio to be on board. It's relieving to many fans that, if Binder's comments are anything to go by, the CBS half of the equation is enthusiastic about the prospect. Tony Returned For Ducky's Send-Off Episode "The Stories We Leave Behind" Marks Weatherly's Only Return To NCIS After Michael Weatherly left NCIS in 2016, Dinozzo returned for a brief cameo in NCIS season 21, episode 2, "The Stories We Leave Behind." The episode honored David McCallum's contributions as Ducky after the actor passed away. DiNozzo's role in the episode is small but heartfelt as he paid tribute to his late friend and offered support to Jimmy Palmer. Weatherly's return in NCIS season 21 was the actor's only return to the show following his departure in season 13. While he has been mentioned several times, his small cameo in season 21 remained his only one so far. Subsequently, it was announced that Weatherly was returning to the NCIS franchise in a major way. Michael Weatherly Returned As Tony DiNozzo In NCIS: Tony & Ziva Tony And Ziva Finally Reunited On-Screen After Weatherly's disappointing NCIS exit and Tony and Ziva's unfinished storyline, Weatherly reprised his role as DiNozzo in NCIS: Tony & Ziva. The series marked the NCIS franchise's first show that focuses exclusively on a pair rather than a team. It was also the first NCIS spinoff to air exclusively on streaming. NCIS: Tony & Ziva featured Tony, Ziva, and Tali as they navigate new challenges in their life in Europe. The spinoff expanded their storyline past NCIS canon and hopefully bring new mysteries and challenges to the couple, including the revelation of what happened to them on the heels of their initial reunion after she was found alive. The rest of the season saw them uncover a conspiracy theory that threatened their whole family. NCIS: Tony & Ziva also marked Weatherly and de Pablo's first appearance together since NCIS season 11. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled after just one season. Tony Dinozzo Jr. Is Officially Returning To NCIS In Season 24 Weatherly Is Coming Home To MCRT Months after it was announced that Paramount+ is pulling the plug on NCIS: Tony & Ziva, CBS revealed that Weatherly is coming back to the flagship instead for NCIS season 24. The 2025-2026 TV cycle was particularly transformative for the TV institution as it ended an 18-year tenure for Director Leon Vance. Unlike his surprise cameo for Ducky's send-off episode, Weatherly is sticking longer this time, as he is due for a season-long arc. That said, the network has yet to reveal any specific details about his return, including the reason for his Navy Yard homecoming. Because NCIS season 24 is keeping its cards close to the chest when it comes to Dinozzo's comeback role, it's difficult to gauge how exactly he fits into the existing narrative of the series. Because of Vance's death, a lot of things are currently in flux, and his surprise return could further complicate things if he has his own narrative to tackle separate from what's already happening in the series. Beyond that, there are also questions about Ziva's fate, considering the lack of information about de Pablo's potential return. Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series. SIGN UP NOW! Release Date September 23, 2003 Network CBS Showrunner Donald P. Bellisario Cast Sean Murray Timothy McGee David McCallum Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.