Summary

• Tony will face major changes in the spinoff working without Gibbs for the first time in NCIS history.
• The change will give Tony a chance to develop his character in a more serious, protective role.
• Gibbs could potentially return as a guest star in the Tony & Ziva spinoff, providing to his closest allies.

Michael Weatherly's Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo will face major changes in the Tony & Ziva spinoff without one major the Tony & Ziva spinoff promises exciting firsts for the NCIS franchise, the characters themselves will also be undergoing major transformations from their roles on the original series. Tony and Ziva's characters got their start on the original NCIS series, with Michael Weatherly appearing on the show since its pilot and Cote de Pablo ing the show to play Ziva David in season 3.

While NCIS is currently airing season 21, de Pablo left the series in season 11 and Weatherly departed after season 13. After their departure, the fan-favorite characters were missed and, eventually, returned to the NCIS universe. De Pablo appeared on the show throughout season 17 to seek help from Gibbs, and Weatherly made a cameo in NCIS season 21 to visit his grieving friend Brian Dietzen's Jimmy Palmer in Ducky's tribute episode. While audiences have witnessed de Pablo and Weatherly teaming up on investigations, the series has not seen the pair working outside the influence of other core NCIS characters.

Tony Will Work Without Gibbs For The First Time In NCIS History

The Character Was Gibbs' Protégé In The Original NCIS Series

Tony DiNozzo will face major changes in the Tony & Ziva spinoff series, because, for the first time in NCIS history, Tony will be working without Mark Harmon's Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Although Tony's character was featured in the original NCIS series for years, he always operated under the wing of Gibbs' character and leadership. Considering that DiNozzo departed the show after season 13 and didn’t return until a brief cameo in season 21 after Gibbs was long gone, the series hasn’t seen DiNozzo work out from under Gibbs.

Tony worked as Gibbs' second-in-command as a senior field agent, and was set to take Gibbs' place until DiNozzo departed the series and his position was ed on to Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee. On rare occasions, in Gibbs' absence, DiNozzo was the automatic temporary leader of the team. Gibbs also had a father-like dynamic with many of the characters on the show, and witnessing DiNozzo outside this dynamic will have audiences noticing major changes within the character.

The Change Will Give DiNozzo An Opportunity To Develop His Character

Tony DiNozzo Will Likely Take On A More Serious Role To Protect His Family

There will certainly be room for dynamic character development for DiNozzo’s character in the Tony & Ziva spinoff. Working outside the dynamic that DiNozzo had with Gibbs in the original NCIS for many years, DiNozzo is likely to offer audiences different aspects of his personality. In NCIS, Gibbs was the more serious character in the father-son dynamic and that left DiNozzo to be a lighter, more playful character who had more availability to clown around, make jokes, and slack off.

The spinoff will likely see Tony in a more serious, protective state, on the run in Europe protecting his wife, Ziva, and his daughter, Tali David-DiNozzo. The grave circumstances of Tony’s character will surely give rise to a more intuitively protective and alert character, giving DiNozzo the opportunity to flex more serious aspects of his personality. DiNozzo has already exemplified to NCIS audiences that he will take a more serious approach and go the distance for his family when needed, as he did after season 13 when Tony exited NCIS to raise his daughter with Ziva.

The Series Is Yet To See The Return Of Leroy Jetho Gibbs

But The Character Of Leory Gibbs Has Not Officially Been Retired

Although Michael Weatherly appeared briefly in season 21, the longtime agent in charge was long gone. Mark Harmon's Leroy Gibbs departed NCIS partway through season 19 after the character made controversial decisions that caused him to leave the team and recluse to Alaska. The Major Case Response Team is still rebounding from the loss of their team leader, and audiences, too, are recovering from the loss of a character who served an integral role on the show. Although audiences hold out hope, Harmon has not returned to the show.

There has been a lot of talk about Mark Harmon returning to the NCIS universe as Gibbs lately, but it isn’t because Harmon has any known plans to reprise the role (yet). Rather, Harmon will return to narrate and executive produce the NCIS expansion series NCIS: Origins, which will explore the character’s backstory before his iconic role in NCIS. However, there’s an open door for Gibbs to return to the NCIS universe, with his character living life in Alaska, rather than having officially retired from the show.

The Tony & Ziva Spinoff Could Reintroduce Gibbs As A Guest Star

It Would Be A Less Complicated Reintroduction Of Gibbs

Although Gibbs is yet to return to the NCIS universe after his move to Alaska, the Tony & Ziva spinoff could provide the right climate for the character's return. While other characters are wrapped up in their own operations tied to the Washington D.C. office, Gibbs is in an opportune position to potentially guest star in the spinoff. Although there are no original NCIS cameos planned for the spinoff, CBS Studios President David Stapf said that there's always a possibility.

Where it’s more complicated for Gibbs to return to the Major Case Response Team, there are fewer hurdles to Gibbs getting involved in the Tony & Ziva expansion series. Considering that Gibbs is living out his time in Alaska with some availability after departing the team, his character has the most availability to appear on the show. It's an opportunity to reintroduce Gibbs without having to reintroduce him to the MCRT. Even if just a phone call between Gibbs and Weatherly or de Pablo, it seems natural for Gibbs to return to NCIS to provide to his closest allies.

The Tony & Ziva spinoff will stream on Paramount+.