Why NCIS Stars Are Wary of the ‘Tony and Ziva’ Spinoff

NCIS spoilers and updates reveal NCIS stars are wary and have fears of the Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) spinoff. Their concerns stem from the drop in ratings of the flagship show on CBS broadcast, while this spinoff will be only streaming on Paramount Plus.

NCIS Spoilers: Not Everyone’s Excited

The anticipation for the upcoming NCIS spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, isn’t shared by everyone. This new series on Paramount+ will see Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo return to their iconic roles, with filming having started in Budapest earlier this summer.

While the actors are excited and some of their former NCIS colleagues are keen to make guest appearances, there are whispers of apprehension among certain stars.

According to an insider speaking to Life & Style, “The main show’s ratings have taken a hit this year, and some cast members fear the spinoff might overshadow their own series.”

Weatherly, who portrayed Tony DiNozzo for the first 13 seasons, has long been a topic of speculation regarding a potential comeback.

NCIS Spoilers: Tony And Ziva Both Started On The Flagship Show On CBS

Tony made a triumphant return for the tribute episode dedicated to Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum) in February, much to the delight of fans.

Shortly thereafter, the announcement of the Tiva spinoff was made; Cote de Pablo, who portrayed Ziva David from Season 3 to Season 11, also made brief appearances in Seasons 16 and 17.

Joining the beloved duo is Isla Gie, who will play their clever 12-year-old daughter, Tali. Tali is characterized as an “intuitive” and “vigilant” young girl, tired of being seen as a child and eager to show the adults around her what she’s capable of.

In the new series, Tony and Ziva will find themselves on the run across Europe with Tali after Tony’s security firm comes under attack.

NCIS Spoilers: Concerns About The Flagship Show’s Ratings

This marks the franchise’s second international spinoff, following NCIS: Sydney. An insider revealed, “Both characters were incredibly popular, and the producers believe that placing them in a fresh, exotic environment will breathe new life into the franchise.” There’s a clear concern from the network about the show’s declining performance.

The return of Michael and Cote in a new format has left former cast members feeling anxious about their job security. While NCIS is broadcast on CBS and NCIS: Tony & Ziva will stream on Paramount+, there’s no real threat of one show overshadowing the other.

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NCIS Spoilers: Tony And Ziva May Give The Franchise The Boost It Needs

Nevertheless, it’s understandable that NCIS has seen a drop in viewership after more than two decades on air. The introduction of Tony & Ziva offers the franchise a unique opportunity to branch out into a new format that could become the standard in the coming years.

Depending on its reception, this could lay the groundwork for a transformative era in NCIS; but it’s still quite early, and the series has yet to make its debut.

On a brighter note, there were rumors Michael Weatherly and Mark Harmon had some friction in the past, but Weatherly appears to be excited about this new chapter.

An insider shared, “Michael is focused on ensuring job security for others, but he’s also eager to demonstrate that he can succeed without Mark.”

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