Michael Weatherly is headed back to the flagship “NCIS” series, with CBS confirming the fan-favorite actor will reprise his role as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo in a season-long storyline during Season 24. The return marks Weatherly’s first extended run on the original series since departing in 2016 after 13 seasons and more than 300 episodes, following a recent appearance in the short-lived Paramount+ spinoff “NCIS: Tony & Ziva.”
Weatherly announced the news in a video shared on social media while in character, telling fans, “I’ll see you in the fall.” The actor originally exited the procedural after his character chose to leave NCIS to raise daughter Tali following the apparent death of Ziva David, though the pair later reunited after Ziva was revealed to be alive.
CBS shared that DiNozzo’s return will unfold throughout the season rather than as a single guest appearance. NCIS showrunner Steven D. Binder said in a statement: “When we meet Tony this season, he’s back in Washington expanding his private security company, Salus Mondiale, and finds himself drawn into a case that feels right at home in the NCIS universe. What made his return especially rewarding was exploring how he’s evolved. 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.”
The announcement of Weatherly’s return continues a wave of nostalgia across the franchise. It follows CBS’ recent confirmation that Mark Harmon will return to the “NCIS” universe with a season-long on-screen arc in the upcoming third season of “NCIS: Origins.” Weatherly’s comeback also arrives after the cancellation of “NCIS: Tony & Ziva,” which reunited him with Cote de Pablo for a single season on Paramount+.
Season 24 will once again feature Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover, Katrina Law and Gary Cole. The new season is scheduled to premiere October 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, and streaming on Paramount+
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