Tony DiNozzo returned for an episode in NCIS Season 21, and now eyes are on the new season. There is a chance we could see Michael Weatherly back again.
Michael Weatherly already returned in NCIS Season 21. He made an appearance at the end of the memorial episode for David McCallum, which saw the series kill off Ducky to allow everyone a chance to grieve. It made sense for DiNozzo to return for this moment. Not only was he close to Ducky, but he was also close to Palmer, and he was there for his friend.
Now eyes are on whether he’ll return in NCIS Season 22. There is certainly a chance that will happen.
NCIS could help to kick off the NCIS: Tony & Ziva spin-off series
There are a couple of NCIS spin-offs in the works for the 2024–2025 season. One of those is NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which will see the couple take their daughter across Europe when they end up in trouble. There are talks of NCIS acting as a platform to launch this new series.
This is how DiNozzo could appear in Season 22. He could find out within the flagship series that he and his family are in trouble. This could even come from someone like McGee or Palmer, who would want to make sure their friend was aware of this danger.
A lot of spin-offs get a backdoor pilot. It helps to look at the attention the spin-off could gain, and it makes it easier to set up a storyline that will have old and new fans interested in it. The show has already been picked up to series, but that doesn’t mean CBS and Paramount+ won’t opt for a backdoor pilot just to help garner the attention of fans.
Michael Weatherly fans will at least get the NCIS spin-off series
There is always the benefits of the spin-off for those who want more of DiNozzo. There may not be time to bring DiNozzo back into the flagship series. This can be difficult to manage if filming schedules get in the way, and we know that the spin-off series is going to start production in the summer across Europe. So, it may not be possible to get DiNozzo back.
That doesn’t mean we won’t see him. Michael Weatherly is one of the leads in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which means fans will get to see him in that series.
