NCIS boss drops disappointing Tony DiNozzo update as fans tip return

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Weatherly’s farewell to the role of NCIS came at the end of the 13th season, although he is still known to be alive and well off-screen in the CBS drama’s universe. Now living in Paris with Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), Tony’s been out of the fray for a number of years while actor Weatherly has had his own schedule taken up leading fellow CBS legal drama, Bull. But with Bull now done and dusted, fan theories tipping a Tony return have been rife ahead of season 20, leading showrunner Steven D Binder to address the rumours.

And sadly, despite Weatherly’s work diary seemingly now clear with Bull behind him, it doesn’t sound like the Tony star will be reintroduced to the show any time soon.

In fact, Binder has now revealed that Weatherly had wanted to give up network television for good after leaving NCIS, only for the role on Bull to change his mind.

But could he change his views on a return to episodic programming again in NCIS’ landmark 20th run?

“Wouldn’t that be great?” Binder said when questioned about a possible Tony DiNozzo comeback.

However, he added to TV Line: “When [Michael] left NCIS, he said to me, ‘I am never going to do network television again.’

“He had just had some kids, and the hours are so long. But then this Bull thing landed in his lap, and again he was working like a fiend. 

“So I suspect – forgetting Tony DiNozzo for a minute – that Michael Weatherly is on vacation. I’ve known him for a while and I think he needs to chillax and go someplace tropical.”

Binder even went on to deliver another arguably disappointing update regarding his own contact with the former series stalwart.

He admitted: “I haven’t spoken to him about that but we’ve talked over the years, and that’s my guess.”

And it seems Binder’s prediction regarding Weatherly’s future has been proven correct given the actor’s latest social media post.

While many fans have been eagerly awaiting confirmation of a CBS return, Weatherly has instead been updating his 471.2k Twitter followers with the latest goings-on from his family’s holidays.

And just last month, Weatherly was sharing updates from a trip to Rome, Italy, where he visited a number of the Italian capital’s hotspots.

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He also took a trip to the Eastern European country of Montenegro alongside his young children.

But despite hype for season 20 building and still no word on Tony’s return, it hasn’t stopped fans from expressing their desire to see him back.

After the show’s verified Twitter account shared the season 20 key art for the upcoming episodes, NCIS fan Rebecca Hilgenberg simply replied: “Bring back Tony and Ziva. We want their return.”

And this was echoed by another eager viewer, as Darnell McCoy stated: “Bring back Tony And Ziva.”

Willie Johnson also concurred: “I am sorry but I want Gibbs Tony and Ziva back.”

Elsewhere, @Kris360785 tweeted separately: We need a @NCIS_CBS reunion with ziva and tony with the rest of the team. They need to come back! @M_Weatherly.”

Ruth Martin also added: “Can you go back to @NCIS_CBS @M_Weatherly? We miss Ziva & Tony. Show was never the same without you two. #Tiva4ever.”

While @jlambertoxley weighed in: “@NCIS_CBS surely it must be time for a Ziva and Tony + Tali update by now? Maybe even a spin-off? It’s not the same without them.” (sic)

NCIS season 20 premieres on CBS in the USA on September 19. A UK release date is yet to be announced.

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