NCIS season 21, episode 2 surprised fans with a Tony DiNozzo cameo, portrayed by Michael Weatherly, who returned to the show after nearly a decade. The unexpected appearance came in the recent David McCallum tribute episode, where Weatherly reprised his role as the 'Very Special Agent.'
Weatherly's return to NCIS was celebrated with a social media post where he posed with director and NCIS: LA star Daniela Ruah. He also praised Brian Dietzen for co-writing the Ducky tribute episode with Scott Williams.
DiNozzo's departure from NCIS in 2015 was due to discovering his secret daughter with Ziva David. However, his return in season 21 was prompted by his friendship with Jimmy Palmer, who was struggling with the loss of his mentor. While DiNozzo maintained contact with Gibbs, his involvement was limited until this recent appearance.
Although Weatherly's return is currently planned as a one-off appearance, there is potential for future appearances given his desire to continue DiNozzo's story. With his CBS series, Bull, concluded, Weatherly now has more availability to explore this possibility.
NCIS season 21 airs new episodes every Monday on CBS, featuring a dynamic team led by Special Agent Alden Parker. The team includes MIT graduate Timothy McGee, charismatic agent Nick Torres, tough agent Jessica Knight, medical examiner Jimmy Palmer, and forensic scientist Kasie Hines, overseen by NCIS Director Leon Vance.
As the last original character to leave NCIS, Ducky's departure opens the door for potential reunions with former team members like DiNozzo, offering long-time fans the prospect of seeing beloved characters back on screen.
