TV Shows
Michael Weatherly’s ‘NCIS’ Return Brings New Chapter for DiNozzo as Showrunner Teases His Changes
Michael Weatherly returns to ‘NCIS’ as Tony DiNozzo for Season 24, and new teasers hint at what brings him back.
The Season 24 NCIS premiere is just weeks away, and new photos teasing what’s ahead have emerged. CBS previously revealed that Michael Weatherly would return as Tony DiNozzo, and now fans can get a glimpse of him back with the rest of the team.
On August 25, Entertainment Weekly shared the first photos of Weatherly back in character as DiNozzo. In addition, showrunner Steven D. Binder provided some scoop on what brings DiNozzo back into the fold.
“Having Michael Weatherly back in the NCIS family is one of those things a writer can only dream about,” Binder gushed.
He continued, “We’re beyond excited to have him return. Tony DiNozzo has always had a way of changing the temperature of every scene he’s in, and watching the newer members of the team encounter the legend they’ve only heard stories about is exactly as fun as it sounds.”
As longtime NCIS viewers know, Weatherly starred in the first 13 seasons of the series. He recently reprised the character of DiNozzo for one season of NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which aired exclusively on the network’s streaming platform, Paramount+. Unfortunately, the show was not renewed for a second season.
Now, Weatherly is back on the original series with a big storyline ahead.
As Entertainment Weekly noted, the team has changed a lot since DiNozzo left the Major Case Response team in 2016. For Season 24, viewers will see regular cast members such as Wilmer Valderrama, Gary Cole, Diona Reasonover, Brian Dietzen, and Sean Murray reprising their roles from previous seasons.
While Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer) and Murray (Timothy McGee) have been around for a long time, working with several others on the team will be a new experience for DiNozzo.
According to Binder, NCIS viewers will see DiNozzo back in Washington, where he is working to expand his private security company. Soon, he “finds himself drawn into a case that feels right at home in the NCIS universe,” Binder teases.
Binder also noted that DiNozzo has “evolved” since his earlier days on the team. “He’s still the charismatic, quick-witted DiNozzo fans know and love, but now he’s also a parent navigating life with a daughter, which has given him a little more perspective, maturity, and emotional depth.”
Season 24 of NCIS premieres on October 6, and fans cannot wait to see what case brings DiNozzo back into the fold.
