Summary
I’m excited about theNCISTony and Ziva spinoff, butthe title forNCIS: Tony & Zivadoesn’t make sensefollowing a disappointing cast update. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo will reprise their roles as the titular characters, Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David. The title characters hail from the originalNCISseries, which has been on television for 21 years and is preparing forNCISseason 22. Since the spinoff was announced, I’ve wondered who would be chosen to support the former agents. A cast update has finally brought clarity to that question.
While I’m also excited about the flagship series returning, part of me is anticipating seeing how they will developTony and Ziva’sNCISstorylineseven more. Main characters like Tony and Ziva are what makesNCISgreat. I would bet the series could attribute much of its success to the storylines surrounding the pair. It would have been cool to see Tony and Ziva’s lives intersect with their NCIS past, but a casting update made me pretty confident that won’t happen. It was a little disappointing, if not also misleading.
15 Essential Tony & Ziva NCIS Episodes To Watch While Waiting For Their Spinoff
Here’s 15 essential Tony & Ziva NCIS episodes to watch while waiting for the spinoff for Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly’s characters.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Does Not Feature Any Actual NCIS Agents (Despite Its Title)
The Tony And Ziva Spinoff Features A Robust International Cast Of Characters
The casting forNCIS: Tony & Zivawas released, and the series doesn’t return anyregularNCIScharactersor guest stars other than the titular characters. I’m excited that Tali has officially been cast in the spinoff. The cast update also includes Tony and Ziva’s support team. Their team will consist of a Russian ex-pat, a former French intelligence agent, a former computer programmer for the NSA, the CTO at Tony’s private security firm, and"a deeply experienced therapist.“As such,the new series doesn’t plan to introduce any NCIS agents into the mix.
Noteworthy names within theNCIS: Tony & Zivacast include Claudette, Boris, Martine, Jonah, Dr. Lang, Sophie, and Henry.
With both having retired from the agency, there will be no actual NCIS agents inTony & Ziva.As such, the title doesn’t make any sense. I’m okay with the show not revolving around NCIS, but I don’t understand why they would use the acronym in the title then. Still,I’m intrigued by theTony & Zivacharacters, regardless.NCIS: Tony & Zivawill also introduce someone with a background in the Special Air Service (SAS) as Tali’s caretaker and a high-ranking official at Interpol. It sounds like a fascinating group of individuals.
Why It’s Odd That The Tony & Ziva Spinoff Is Missing NCIS Connections
It Has NCIS In The Title
The"NCIS"in the Tony and Ziva spinoff title is odd becausethe series lacks any current ties to NCIS. At least on the show’s surface, they won’t work with any NCIS agents or be connected to their former office. So, while the spinoff used"NCIS"to brand the Tony and Ziva series as part of the franchise, it was a misleading choice. I understand the branding element, but a spinoff title doesn’t have to resemble the original to make it a spinoff. Consider the title ofYoung Sheldonas a spinoff ofThe Big Bang Theory.
NCIS: Tony & Zivawill air on Paramount+.
I understand that both agents started at NCIS and have that lasting connection to the flagship series. Maybe the franchise wanted to carry the branding element throughout, but the"NCIS:“title formatting is best reserved for the franchise’s location-based spinoffs, in my opinion. It makes sense to brandNCIS: SydneyorNCIS: Hawai’ias satellite NCIS offices, andI like the cohesion the four-letter acronym provides for the series based around different locations. That said, it wasn’t needed in the Tony and Ziva spinoff title for it to be considered part of thesharedNCISuniverse.
What NCIS: Tony & Ziva Could Be Called Instead
Tiva & Tali
In a video that Michael Weatherly posted toInstagram, the leading actors also shared suggestions from viewers for alternate title ideas for theNCISspinoff. The list includedNCIS: EuropeandNCIS: Trust No Oneas potential options, but honestly, the series can do better than that. The series could reach for something more original, as didYoung Sheldon,andI think something likeTiva & Taliwould have been short but pronounced. (And for the record, I expect credit if they use that.)
“Tiva"is how fans collectively referred to Tony and Ziva as a couple when they starred inNCIS.
Michael Weatherly reckoned with the title again at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in June 2024. The Anthony DiNozzo actor said the title should include their tween daughter, who is at the center of their universe:“The series should really be called ‘NCIS: Tony, Ziva, and Tali,’ because their child is at the center of their preoccupations."(viaLa Gazette de Monaco) Weatherly’s right; I would have included Tali in the title if she’s going to be brought on as a main character.
TheNCIStitle makes sense in one significant way.
TheNCIStitle makes sense in one significant way. It lays out precisely what you can expect from the series: your favorite former NCIS agents are at the center of it all. That said,the Tony and Ziva series title could have been more evocativeif it had been creatively crafted to stand alone.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
