NCIS fans have a major reason to revisit one of the franchise’s most beloved partnerships in 2026, as Michael Weatherly returns as Tony DiNozzo in Season 24. However, while Tony is back in the world of NCIS, questions surrounding Cote de Pablo’s Ziva David continue to keep longtime viewers talking.
Weatherly’s return was officially announced by CBS in July 2026, with the actor reprising his iconic role for a season-long story arc. Tony initially returns to Washington, D.C., to establish a satellite office for his private security firm, but his reunion with his former colleagues quickly draws him back into the action.
The new season also marks a significant development for Tony. Following the Season 24 premiere on October 6, 2026, his character takes on a surprising new responsibility as NCIS director, representing a major change for the former special agent known for his humor, charm, and unconventional approach to investigations.
Yet for many fans, Tony’s return inevitably raises another question: where does Ziva fit into the story?
Cote de Pablo’s character remains one of the most memorable figures in the NCIS universe. Her on-screen chemistry with Weatherly helped make Tony and Ziva one of television’s most popular partnerships, and their relationship continued to attract attention long after de Pablo originally left the series.
The pair’s story received renewed attention through NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the Paramount+ spin-off that reunited the actors and explored their lives beyond the original series. Although the show was cancelled after one season in December 2025, its ending left Tony and Ziva together, giving fans an emotional continuation of their long-running relationship.
In September 2026, NCIS executive producer Steven D. Binder addressed the question of Ziva’s whereabouts in an interview with TV Insider. He explained that Ziva is with their daughter, Tali, who is attending boarding school, while Tony remains in Washington. Binder also indicated that Ziva’s presence would continue to be felt, although a return appearance by de Pablo has not been confirmed.
That distinction is important. Despite growing speculation online, CBS has not announced Cote de Pablo’s return for Season 24, and there is no confirmed new Tony and Ziva series. For now, fans will have to wait to see whether their paths cross again on screen.
Still, Tony’s return has reopened the conversation about one of NCIS’s most enduring relationships. With Weatherly once again playing a central role in the franchise, viewers are wondering whether the story could eventually bring Ziva back into the action.
For longtime fans, the appeal is about more than nostalgia. Tony and Ziva’s relationship developed over years of shared danger, personal sacrifices, and unresolved feelings. Their reunion in the spin-off gave viewers another chapter, but many remain eager to see what comes next.
Would you like to see Cote de Pablo return as Ziva David in NCIS Season 24? With Tony back in Washington and his role in the agency changing dramatically, fans are already imagining what another reunion could mean for the franchise.
For now, Ziva’s future remains unconfirmed, but one thing is clear: the interest in Tony and Ziva has not disappeared.
