Michael Weatherly’s exit from NCIS in 2016 marked the end of an era for fans who had followed Tony DiNozzo through 13 seasons of investigations, banter and complicated relationships. But his departure was not the end of the character’s story. A decade later, Tony is back in the CBS drama, and his latest chapter looks very different from the one viewers remember.

So, why did Weatherly leave NCIS in the first place, and what changed enough to bring him back? The answers involve a demanding 13-year run, a major change in Tony’s personal life and a return that has given the former special agent an unexpected new place in the franchise.

Why Did Michael Weatherly Leave NCIS in 2016?

Weatherly played Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo for 13 seasons, appearing in more than 300 episodes of NCIS. CBS confirmed in January 2016 that he would leave at the end of Season 13, prompting questions about why an actor so closely associated with the series was ready to move on.

The clearest explanation came from Weatherly himself later that year. While promoting his next CBS drama, Bull, at the Television Critics Association press tour, he explained:

“I was burnt out by NCIS, and I was ready for a new challenge.”

His comments offered a straightforward explanation for his decision. After more than a decade playing the same character, Weatherly wanted to explore a different role and take on a new professional challenge.

Rather than presenting his exit as a dispute with CBS or a rejection of NCIS, he described it as a natural transition after spending so many years on one series.

His next project was Bull, a legal drama centred on trial consultant Dr. Jason Bull and his team. The series premiered in September 2016, just months after Tony’s final episode, and eventually ran for six seasons before ending in 2022.

Weatherly’s departure therefore marked a significant career change, not an extended absence from television.

Another high-profile TV exit
Long-running television franchises often see major cast departures followed years later by unexpected developments. Compare Tony DiNozzo’s return with our Chris L. McKenna General Hospital exit report.

How Cote de Pablo’s Departure Influenced His Decision

Weatherly’s desire for a new challenge was not the only factor he discussed when reflecting on his NCIS exit. The departure of Cote de Pablo, who played Ziva David, had also influenced how he viewed Tony’s future.

De Pablo left the series during Season 11 after eight seasons as Ziva. Her character’s relationship with Tony had developed from professional rivalry into a close friendship and romantic storyline, becoming one of the drama’s most recognisable relationships.

In a 2016 interview around his final episode, Weatherly explained that de Pablo’s departure had prompted him to think seriously about what lay ahead for his own character. He also wanted the writers to have enough time to give Tony an appropriate ending.

Ziva’s exit was not the sole reason Weatherly decided to leave. Instead, it formed part of a broader reassessment of his character and the series after 13 years.

With the Tony-Ziva dynamic changed, Weatherly was increasingly interested in exploring opportunities beyond NCIS.

Tony DiNozzo’s Emotional Exit: What Happened in Season 13?

Although Ziva was no longer a regular character when Weatherly left, she remained central to Tony’s final storyline.

In the Season 13 finale, “Family First,” Tony discovered that he had a daughter, Tali, with Ziva. Ziva was believed to have died following an attack on her farmhouse, although the character was later revealed to have survived.

Tony’s discovery changed his priorities. Rather than continuing his career at the agency, he decided to leave NCIS and take care of Tali.

His final episode as a regular cast member aired on May 17, 2016. The ending gave Tony a clear reason to leave without killing off the character, preserving the possibility of a future return.

Weatherly’s own farewell message was appreciative rather than hostile towards the show. He expressed how much he had enjoyed playing DiNozzo and thanked the cast, crew and fans.

At the time, however, neither the actor nor the series presented the departure as the beginning of a short break. Weatherly was moving into a new phase of his career, while Tony’s story continued beyond the original series.

What Michael Weatherly Did After Leaving NCIS

Weatherly spent the next six seasons leading Bull, playing Dr. Jason Bull throughout the CBS drama’s run from 2016 to 2022.

The role gave him the fresh challenge he had described when explaining his decision to leave NCIS. Instead of immediately returning to Tony DiNozzo, he built another long-running television role.

Meanwhile, Tony remained part of the wider NCIS continuity through his connection with Tali and Ziva. The later revelation that Ziva had survived created an opportunity to revisit the family’s story and explore what had happened during Tony’s years away from the agency.

That development eventually led to a project that brought Weatherly and de Pablo back together.

How NCIS: Tony & Ziva Set Up Tony’s Return

The Paramount+ spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva became an important bridge between Tony’s original storyline and his return to the flagship series.

The 10-episode series premiered on Paramount+ on September 4, 2025. It followed Tony and Ziva after they reunited in Paris with their daughter, Tali.

The premise placed both characters in a different position from where viewers had last seen them in NCIS. Tony was no longer an agency special agent, and he and Ziva were raising their daughter together.

Their new life was disrupted when Tony’s private security company was attacked, drawing the family into a larger international situation. The first season concluded in October 2025.

Weatherly later explained in a 2026 interview that the spinoff allowed viewers to explore sides of Tony that had received less attention during his original run, particularly his emotional development, fatherhood and responsibilities as the person running a company.

He described the character as retaining his familiar humour and movie references while also having gone through a significant learning curve.

Weatherly also described this more mature version of Tony as “new and improved”, reflecting how the spinoff had expanded the character beyond his earlier identity as a playful senior field agent.

That evolution would become especially important when Tony returned to the original series.

CBS Confirms Michael Weatherly’s NCIS Season 24 Return

On July 1, 2026, CBS officially announced that Weatherly would reprise Tony DiNozzo for a season-long arc during the 2026–27 television season.

The announcement highlighted his 13-season, more-than-300-episode history with NCIS and his recent return to the role in NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

This was more substantial than a brief nostalgic appearance. Tony would have a continuing storyline within Season 24.

The new season premiered on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with episodes also available through Paramount+.

According to CBS’s official description of the premiere, “Wayward Son,” Tony arrives in Washington while working with his private security company and planning to open a satellite office in the city.

His return quickly draws him into an NCIS investigation, bringing him back into contact with an organisation that has continued operating throughout his decade away.

Weatherly explained before the season began that Tony had been away for 10 years and that the team had carried on without him. Most of the current agents were new to Tony, while Timothy McGee and Jimmy Palmer represented important connections to his original life at NCIS.

Tony DiNozzo Becomes the New NCIS Director

One of the biggest surprises of Tony’s Season 24 storyline is that he does not simply return as a field agent.

Tony becomes the new director of NCIS.

The development follows the death of Leon Vance, who previously held the position. Gabriel LaRoche had taken over as director at the beginning of the season, but events in the premiere changed the leadership situation.

Tony helps resolve a crisis involving the Secretary of the Navy’s daughter. The Secretary subsequently chooses him for the directorship.

Tony initially declines the opportunity, but the Secretary makes clear that she expects him to accept the responsibility. The premiere also establishes that Ziva has approved the decision.

The appointment transforms Tony’s relationship with the organisation. During his original run, he worked as an agent under Gibbs and later agency leadership. Now, he is responsible for overseeing the entire organisation, including colleagues he did not know during his earlier tenure.

Showrunner Steven D. Binder explained the appeal of the change by comparing Tony’s new position to someone who had once been a mischievous student and later returned as the principal.

It is a fitting contrast: the character who once brought humour and unpredictability to the bullpen is now expected to lead the agency.

NCIS Season 24 Episode Guide: What Has Happened So Far?

As of October 28, 2026, four episodes of Season 24 have aired.

Episode	Air date	Main storyline
“Wayward Son”	October 6, 2026	Tony returns to Washington, and the premiere establishes his new circumstances and directorship.
“Clean Slate”	October 13, 2026	A man is murdered after a neighbourhood dinner party, and the team discovers that guests are concealing information about the victim and the events surrounding his death.
“Sleeping Dogs”	October 20, 2026	Torres investigates a series of murders involving his retired undercover identity and works with his former handler, Walt Keller.
“Like and Subscribe”	October 27, 2026	The team investigates the murder of a sailor who competed on an online game show. The investigation establishes that his death was not connected to the prize money, while Tony faces a threat described as more intimidating than any killer.

The episodes show that Tony’s return is being incorporated into the continuing NCIS storyline rather than treated as a one-off reunion.

His new leadership role also gives the series a different way to use a familiar character alongside its current team.

What Happened to Ziva in NCIS Season 24?

Ziva is not currently a regular member of the NCIS Season 24 cast alongside Weatherly. However, her role in Tony’s life remains important.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva established that the pair had reunited and were raising Tali together. The Season 24 premiere also acknowledges that Ziva was involved in Tony’s decision to accept his new responsibility.

This means the flagship series is not ignoring the events of the Paramount+ spinoff. Instead, Tony’s return continues the same character storyline, with his experiences as a father and business owner informing his new position.

The years away from NCIS have changed Tony’s priorities, even though his humour and familiar personality remain recognisable.

Was Michael Weatherly’s NCIS Exit Caused by a Behind-the-Scenes Feud?

The available public record does not support reducing Weatherly’s departure to a behind-the-scenes feud.

There were other stories and reports surrounding his 2016 exit, but the actor’s own explanation was that he felt burned out after years on the series and wanted a new professional challenge. He also discussed Ziva’s departure, his interest in other creative work and his desire to spend more time with his family.

CBS and Weatherly announced the departure as an exit following Season 13. His move into the lead role on Bull further demonstrated that he was pursuing a different professional opportunity.

His return a decade later does not contradict those original reasons. Weatherly spent six seasons leading another drama before revisiting Tony through the Paramount+ spinoff and eventually returning to the flagship series.

The circumstances are different now, and so is the character.

Will Michael Weatherly Stay on NCIS Beyond Season 24?

CBS has confirmed a season-long arc for Weatherly in Season 24. That remains the clearest official commitment regarding his current role.

Showrunner Steven D. Binder has also discussed the possibility of Weatherly remaining beyond that arrangement. Binder said the actor would feel like a series regular during the season and that the production was enjoying having him back.

However, those comments should not be confused with an official announcement that Weatherly will remain on NCIS permanently or beyond Season 24.

For now, the confirmed situation is that Tony has returned for a substantial storyline and taken on the role of NCIS director. Any longer-term future remains unconfirmed.

Following another entertainment industry exit
Michael Weatherly’s departure eventually led to a successful second CBS role before his return to NCIS. For another major entertainment departure involving a high-profile project, see our David Fincher Netflix exit report.

Conclusion: Why Michael Weatherly Left NCIS and Why Tony Is Back

Michael Weatherly left NCIS in 2016 because he felt burned out after 13 seasons and wanted a new challenge. Ziva’s departure, his changing perspective on Tony’s future and his personal priorities also formed part of the wider story. He moved directly into Bull, leading the series for six seasons.

Tony DiNozzo’s story continued through his relationship with Ziva and their daughter, Tali, before NCIS: Tony & Ziva explored his more mature life outside the agency. CBS then confirmed Weatherly’s return in July 2026.

Now, Tony is back in Season 24 with a family, a private security business and a role far beyond his former position as a senior field agent. His return is not simply a reversal of his 2016 departure. It is the next chapter for a character who has spent a decade building a different life.

Source and research disclaimer: This article has been prepared using the source material listed below, including official CBS and Paramount press information and published interviews. It reflects the information and statements available in those sources at the time of writing and does not imply independent verification beyond the supplied material. Further details about Tony DiNozzo’s future may change as CBS and Paramount release additional information.

Sources

• Paramount Press Express: Michael Weatherly to Return as Tony DiNozzo for Season 24
• Paramount Press Express: Season 24 Premiere, “Wayward Son”
• CBS: NCIS Season 24 Episode Guide
• CBS: “Like and Subscribe” Episode 4
• TV Insider: Michael Weatherly on Returning to NCIS and How Tony Has Changed
• TV Insider: Why Michael Weatherly Left NCIS
• Parade: Michael Weatherly’s 2016 Farewell Interview
• Paramount+ Press Information: NCIS: Tony & Ziva
• TheWrap: NCIS Showrunner on Tony’s Season 24 Return and New Director Role

Featured Image Credit: CBS