Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo Discuss NCIS: Tony & Ziva's Emotional Evolution at NYCC 2025

The beloved stars of NCIS: Tony & Ziva, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, brought their signature chemistry and insights to New York Comic Con on October 9, 2025. They shared details about their new Paramount+ series, its spy-thriller shift, and the characters' profound journey.

Fans of the long-running NCIS franchise eagerly gathered at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City to hear from the duo behind the highly anticipated spinoff. Weatherly and de Pablo offered a deep dive into the show's creation, its unique narrative direction, and the enduring bond of their characters, Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David.

Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo captivated audiences at New York Comic Con 2025 while discussing NCIS: Tony & Ziva. The Long-Awaited Return of Fan-Favorite Tony and Ziva David in New Spinoff

It has been nearly a decade since Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo last shared the screen consistently on the original NCIS. De Pablo departed the CBS hit in 2014, followed by Weatherly's exit two years later. Their characters, Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, have since been on a complex journey, reuniting off-screen in Paris in 2019 after Ziva was initially presumed dead.

The new Paramount+ spinoff, officially titled NCIS: Tony & Ziva, is a direct response to years of fervent fan demand. Both Weatherly and de Pablo confirmed at NYCC that they personally pitched the project, driven by the unwavering loyalty of viewers worldwide. "We manifested it. It came together beautifully," de Pablo told TV Insider, reflecting on the show's journey to the screen.

The series, which premiered globally on September 4, finds Tony and Ziva reunited with their daughter, Tali, in the picturesque backdrop of Paris. However, their domestic bliss is short-lived. The family is quickly forced on the run across Europe after Tony's security company comes under attack and they face accusations of bribing Interpol out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Currently, NCIS: Tony & Ziva is releasing its first season on Thursdays exclusively on Paramount+. As of their NYCC appearance on October 9, only two episodes remained in the inaugural season, promising an intense conclusion to their European escapade.

Unpacking Tony and Ziva's Profound Character Evolution in Their New Series

One of the most compelling aspects of NCIS: Tony & Ziva, as discussed by the stars at NYCC, is its conscious departure from the traditional "cop show" format. Michael Weatherly highlighted that the series delves deeper into the emotional landscapes of its lead characters, shifting focus from crime scenes to their intricate relationship and individual growth.

"The emotional exploration was really what we wanted to investigate, rather than dead bodies and crime scenes and everything," Weatherly explained to Temple of Geek. He noted that their "investigative skills were put to work, sort of on our love and on each other," leading to a "beautiful arc for this whole season." The action, he said, "is propelling you through a lot of these really dynamic emotional beats."

Tony DiNozzo's Humbling Journey into Fatherhood and Increased Maturity

For Tony DiNozzo, fatherhood has been a transformative experience. Weatherly shared his excitement for audiences to witness Tony's growth and maturity, especially after stepping away from Gibbs' team where he often played "second Banana." "He's a much more integrated human now," Weatherly stated, emphasizing the humility Tony has gained as a parent.

Weatherly delved into Tony's past, noting his mother's death at a young age and his absentee father. Now, as a father himself, Tony confronts echoes of his own childhood trauma while navigating the responsibilities of raising Tali. "Once you get out of your own way a little bit when you're a parent because you have a little person that needs to be taken care of and you're not the most important person anymore," Weatherly reflected. "So for Tony to not be the most important person, wait, you know. And so that, I think, is really a beautiful humility that you see with him. And then we, you know, he's learned how to care. And then we get to see it in action."

This nuanced portrayal shows Tony learning to balance his various roles in a mature way, striving to be "elevated and modern, thoroughly modern as he can be, while still being fun."

Ziva David's Complex Past and the European Backdrop as a Romantic Character

Cote de Pablo also discussed the depth of Ziva's character in the new series. She noted that Ziva "comes from so much trauma, there's so much pain in her background, like a haunting kind of pain." This internal struggle, often not on the surface, contributes significantly to her character's journey.

The European setting itself acts as a crucial element in the show's narrative. De Pablo described "how beautiful the backdrop of Europe is and how it almost is like a character in itself, like how that backdrop is its own sort of romantic character that allows the story to so beautifully be played out." This visual richness, combined with the action-packed spy thriller elements, creates a unique environment for Tony and Ziva's emotional exploration.

NYCC 2025 Panel Highlights: Showcasing Michael and Cote's Unmistakable Chemistry and Friendship

The highlight of the NCIS: Tony & Ziva panel at New York Comic Con 2025 was undeniably the palpable chemistry between Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. Fans have long adored their on-screen dynamic, and the panel proved their bond extends far beyond the cameras, cementing their status as true best friends.

Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo demonstrated their strong off-screen bond during their New York Comic Con panel.

Attendees witnessed numerous moments that underscored their genuine affection and camaraderie. As observed by HELLO!, Weatherly's gentlemanly gestures, such as allowing de Pablo to walk out and leave the stage first, were a charming detail. They were also spotted holding hands during their discussion of favorite memories, both on and off-set.

Their playful banter was a crowd-pleaser. When de Pablo recounted a scene where she was running and Weatherly was "running behind" her, Michael quipped, "I was protecting you," highlighting his character's enduring protective nature and their real-life playful dynamic. Cote even joked about Michael, saying, "He's a very interesting person. He can have moments where he can go radio silent, you'd never know it, but it's true."

Both actors expressed deep appreciation for the show's opportunity to revisit their iconic characters. They shared that returning to the world of NCIS in this new format has been a "healing" experience. "We never got a chance to really play out most of the things that we thought we could on such a long run," de Pablo explained, referring to their tenure on the original series. The spinoff allowed them to explore these dynamics more fully, a process they found incredibly rewarding.

De Pablo also had sweet words for the new cast members joining them on the series. She and Weatherly had always wanted to cultivate a special collaborative environment. "Little by little you start having moments that make you laugh, and then before you know it you become a little bit of a family," she said, acknowledging the organic way new bonds formed on set. "We knew that they had something that we wanted in our show and we knew that maybe those energies could grow together and something maybe magical could happen."

Looking Ahead: Potential for NCIS: Tony & Ziva Season 2 and Expansive Universe Cameos

With only two episodes remaining in the first season of NCIS: Tony & Ziva as of the NYCC panel, questions naturally turned to the future of the series. Cote de Pablo remained hopeful but realistic about a potential Season 2.

"Where this goes, we know not," she told TV Insider, regarding a possible second season. "All we know is that we had to do this. Michael and I felt we owed it to the fans." She added that if they "got a chance to do it again, we'd be thrilled." This indicates a strong willingness from the stars to continue the story if Paramount+ greenlights another season.

Michael Weatherly, ever the entertainer, also indulged fans with humorous ideas for future NCIS universe crossovers and even an "NCIS: Retirement Home" spinoff. He playfully suggested a scenario where Gibbs could make a cameo, even if it's just a random stranger delivering a signature head-slap to Tony. "It doesn't even have to be Mark," he joked, referring to Mark Harmon, who plays Gibbs.

However, Weatherly quickly emphasized his sincere desire to reunite with his former colleagues, calling Harmon "one of the most important people in my professional life." He also expressed interest in seeing other fan-favorite characters, including Pauley Perrette's Abby, Sean Murray's McGee, Brian Dietzen's Jimmy Palmer, and even characters from other spinoffs like Deeks and Kenzie from NCIS: Los Angeles, and Scott Bakula's Dwayne Pride from NCIS: New Orleans.

These playful remarks highlight the expansive nature of the NCIS universe and the deep connections the cast members maintain. While NCIS: Retirement Home is a distant dream, the possibility of future crossovers within the franchise remains a thrilling prospect for fans.

Where to Watch the Exciting New Series NCIS: Tony & Ziva

Series	Streaming Platform	Release Schedule
NCIS: Tony & Ziva	Paramount+	New episodes on Thursdays

The Enduring Legacy and Future Horizons of NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Paramount+

The return of Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David in NCIS: Tony & Ziva has proven to be more than just a nostalgic reunion; it is a thoughtful evolution of beloved characters and a new direction for the acclaimed franchise. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo's dedication to their roles and their audience shines through, both in the series' narrative depth and their engaging presence at New York Comic Con 2025.

The spinoff successfully balances high-stakes action with profound emotional exploration, giving fans the answers they craved while pushing Tony and Ziva into new, challenging territory. Their journey across Europe, filled with spy-thriller elements and deeply personal arcs, has resonated with viewers, demonstrating the enduring appeal of their "star-crossed lovers" story.

As the first season draws to a close, the anticipation for future installments remains high. The undeniable chemistry of its lead stars, coupled with a narrative that thoughtfully builds on their past while forging a compelling future, ensures that NCIS: Tony & Ziva is a significant addition to the ever-expanding NCIS universe.