NCIS: Tony & Ziva to Stream on Paramount+ with European Backdrop
The highly anticipated spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, will stream on Paramount+ and feature a European backdrop. This new series will include a Russian hacker and a French Interpol liaison as part of Tony and Ziva’s support team. Although the chances of a reunion with their old NCIS team are slim due to the new ensemble cast, NCIS: Tony & Ziva remains the best opportunity for a reunion of Gibbs’ team.
Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David’s much-awaited NCIS reunion might not happen as expected due to a recent casting update. Years after Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo exited the famed CBS police procedural, they are set to return for a new series that will expand the ever-evolving franchise. This time, they will lead their own spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, bringing back the franchise’s most famous romantic partners for an adventure across Europe, alongside their grown-up daughter, Tali. Unlike its predecessor, this spinoff will stream on Paramount+.
Plot specifics remain scarce, but production for the series has seemingly started, according to Weatherly’s recent updates. This aligns with previous confirmations that production would kick off on location in July. Both actors had already returned to the flagship series, with DiNozzo appearing in NCIS Season 21 for Ducky Mallard’s tribute. Besides this, the pair is also hosting the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast. Unfortunately, a reunion with their former MCRT colleagues might take longer than initially expected.
No other actors have been confirmed for NCIS: Tony & Ziva besides Weatherly and de Pablo. The show has yet to name who will play Tali, their prepubescent daughter, who will play a significant part in the show as she reconnects with her mother. Reports indicate that Tony and Ziva’s team will include a “Russian hacker extraordinaire” and a “French Interpol liaison,” emphasizing the series’ European backdrop. De Pablo insisted on setting the show in Europe to differentiate it from the flagship series. This makes sense as it provides a unique setting and narrative away from its parent project.
Initially, there was no indication if the couple would run solo or have backup throughout their endeavor. With little revealed about their life post-reunion, it’s hard to imagine their current dynamic. Weatherly mentioned that trust would be a central theme in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, especially as Tali processes her mother’s resurrection. Their predicament could have motivated them to involve Tim McGee, Abby Sciuto, and even Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Having their backup team decreases their need to reach out to their old team for help. While Tony and Ziva are capable agents, they are likely facing formidable foes in their spinoff. Being in such a predicament could have set the stage for a reunion with their former colleagues, effectively reviving NCIS’s best roster. DiNozzo’s return to the Navy Yard bullpen could have facilitated this, but with their new team, reaching out to MCRT and other agency contacts will be reserved for dire situations.
After the unexpected cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i, the franchise’s expansion now focuses on revisiting old characters from the flagship series. While this appeals to fans of the earlier seasons, it reduces the chances of crossovers. Although NCIS: Origins is set in the past, NCIS: Tony & Ziva will stream on Paramount+ and have a different feel compared to its CBS parent project. At the very least, familiar faces could appear on Weatherly and de Pablo’s show to maintain the franchise’s continuity.
Beyond strengthening the evolving universe, seeing Tony and Ziva reunite with their closest MCRT friends is essential. Although both have returned to NCIS since their exits, they did so separately, and have not reunited as a trio with McGee. Tony hasn’t interacted with Gibbs since Weatherly left NCIS at the end of Season 12. Since there are no plans for a full group reunion at Navy Yard, this is CBS’s best and easiest way to stage their much-clamored reunion. NCIS: Tony & Ziva can still deliver this reunion in smaller doses, starting with involving MCRT.
This can happen if the threat Tony and Ziva face in their spinoff escalates to an international security issue. Given their history with Director Leon Vance, it’s plausible he would pull some strings to support his former agents. This would professionally tie McGee to the case. From there, future seasons of NCIS: Tony & Ziva can incorporate more familiar faces from NCIS.
