NCIS is getting ready to end season 13 on CBS, and this season ender will also mark the exit of Michael Weatherly from the long running series. The actor announced his departure back in January after one of his co-stars revealed that someone was leaving the series at the end of the season.
Season 13 has now wrapped production, and Michael Weatherly has spent his last days on the set as Tony DiNozzo. He spoke about his decision to leave the series with TV Insider.
Why did Michael Weatherly decide to leave the series? He connected his departure to exit of Cote de Pablo. He said the following:
“Their great dynamic, the badinage and sparring and flirting between those two characters and how they would swing from siblings to near lovers and back to buddies. That was gone, and then I got to the point where I felt I’d stayed at the party for too long. I would look around the room and other people were really in sync and having fun. The show was a huge success, but I just suddenly realized that I probably had other things that I should be doing. And then the wanderlust set in. I directed a documentary. I have a production company. And I wanted to spend time with my family.”
Weatherly might also be back on television. He is waiting to hear back on a new project. The pilot, called Bull, could land on the CBS network next season. Weatherly will find out at CBS’ upfronts later this month.
For now, fans can get ready to say goodbye to Tony. Are you sad to see Michael Weatherly leave NCIS? Tell us what you think.
I really enjoyed watching Michael Weatherly in NCIS and how well he brought Di Nozzo to life. He did wonders with the character. I will really miss him. As for watching him in the new series “Bull”…. NO, I will NOT be watching it. As with other actors and actresses in the past who felt they ‘outgrew’ their characters and left their shows without caring if it affected that show or not; and began having ‘illusions of grandeur’ of going to the big screen and becoming an ” A list” movie star, I personally hope it doesn’t happen for him.… Read more »
Great departure show! I don’t think reference to him on the show should be nil. In fact a followup would be nice in conversation that Agt Dinozzo found out Ziva did not die but was in hiding and recovering and Tali was given to him for safe keeping until Kort was killed. But he will never come back? Just a thought
It’s very sad that Michael Weatherly is leaving. He is a dynamic character in the show and makes such a huge part of it so good and successful! I hope that he will be in another show so that we can watch him again. I do hope NCIS stays on TV.
I have been a fan of NCIS from the first. I have watched Tony interact with all the female regulats and he is a natural. The dialogue and acting have never been forced or contrived. I would have loved to see him consummate a relationship with either Jean or Ziva to either an engagement or even marriage. In fact that is how I thought the series would conclude, with everyone attending Tony’s wedding and retirement from NCIS. I know that Mark Harmon and David McCallum along with the rest of the extraordinary cast will be able to carry the show… Read more »
It will be sad to see Tony leave. He and Gibbs made a good pairing in personalities. I think they could have developed his character to have a lasting relationship on the show, growing him out of the playboy image. It will be difficult to replace his character,. The show won’t have the same kind of dynamics.
Had Tony’s relationship with Gibbs remained healthy and viable, had it continued in the form in which it was once so thrilling, I do not think we would be hearing these heartbreaking statements from MW about feeling out of place. Nor would we be hearing yet more lip-service to Ziva and Cote and that other thing that begins with a T but was never the defining relationship on the show for Tony. Like you, Alice, I think Tony and Gibbs acting together was the backbone of the show. I think Michael does too and that he is being glib. I… Read more »
DiNozzo is the comic relief of NCIS. It needs a character like that. He is correct after Zeva left it just was not the same. I will miss him.
I for one am not sad to see Tony go. The collage jock that never grew up has worn thin. I do miss Cote and wish that she could make some guest appearances. To all the cast and crew, both past and current, THANKS.
Bob, I agree and for me it is a sadness because the character was written that way despite glimpses of depth, ability, and an immense catalog of proof that MW could have made Tony more grown-up character. I will never forgive the show’s lack of imagination regarding Tony.
I will miss his humor and looking at him!!!