NCIS holds a special place in the hearts of fans, and the actors who have graced its screens over the years have become beloved figures. Leroy Jethro Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon, particularly stands out as a fan favorite since the show’s inception.
Over the seasons, viewers have formed strong bonds with characters like Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo, Timothy McGee, Caitlin “Kate” Todd, Ziva David, Abby Sciuto, and Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, among others.
However, the dynamic between Ziva David (played by Cote de Pablo) and Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly) captured audiences’ imaginations, especially with their iconic will-they-or-won’t-they relationship.
The chemistry between de Pablo and Weatherly on-screen was undeniable, and many wondered if it extended beyond the set. Despite their characters’ fiery romance, their off-screen relationship had a rocky start. According to Weatherly, de Pablo was not initially fond of him during their screen test for the series.
However, their relationship evolved into a deep and enduring friendship, with both actors acknowledging the initial tension between them.
Weatherly recalled being enchanted by de Pablo’s performance and falling for her focus and clarity. De Pablo, on the other hand, remembered feeling sabotaged by Weatherly’s improvisation during her audition.
Their on-screen chemistry and bond led to the creation of a fictional daughter, Tali, on NCIS. However, fans were left disappointed when de Pablo departed the show in 2013, citing reasons related to respect for her character and dissatisfaction with scripts.
Weatherly followed suit and left NCIS in 2016 to star in the CBS show Bull. Despite their departures, fans continued to hope for a Tony and Ziva reunion on NCIS, though it never materialized on screen.
Off-screen, Weatherly and de Pablo’s relationship mirrored their characters’ dynamic, with Weatherly jokingly comparing their rapport to his relationship with his wife.
Despite leaving NCIS, both actors expressed a desire to continue working together and even embarked on a joint venture to develop a television series named MIA in 2018. While the series never came to fruition, fans remain hopeful for a reunion between the two actors on screen in the future.