As the countdown continues to the return of many of the biggest network shows on the 2024 TV schedule, there’s one particularly intriguing project in the works for streaming: a new Paramount+ spinoff starring Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. While no official premiere date has been announced for NCIS: Tony & Ziva, Weatherly has occasionally shared updates with fans, posting photos from the set in Budapest, Hungary. After seeing one of those photos, I had a wild idea for a crossover that I can’t stop thinking about: why not have the Tony & Ziva cast cross paths with the FBI: International Fly Team?
Here’s why it could work! When production for NCIS: Tony & Ziva kicked off back in July, it was revealed that the show would be filming in Budapest. Interestingly, FBI: International has also been filming in Budapest since its premiere in 2021, with Fly Team HQ located in the city. Even after their headquarters was blown up, they stayed in Budapest. While I’m not entirely sure what circumstances could bring the characters from Tony & Ziva and FBI: International together, the actors probably aren’t too far from each other in real life. With International Season 4 premiering before Tony & Ziva hits the screen, just imagine one of the NCIS spinoff cast members making a surprise appearance on CBS this fall!
From a plot perspective, a crossover isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem. The premise of Tony & Ziva has the former NCIS agents and their daughter on the run across Europe, solving a mystery while pursuing their elusive happily-ever-after. A case like that could easily catch the attention of the Fly Team, if it weren’t already the focus of a different show. What really made me laugh about the idea, though, isn’t the plot—it’s the fact that Tony & Ziva and FBI: International are already part of massive TV universes.
Tony & Ziva is linked to a slew of shows, including the original NCIS, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Hawai’i, Sydney, the upcoming NCIS: Origins, JAG, and Hawaii Five-0, all on CBS. Meanwhile, FBI: International is part of the nine-show Dick Wolf universe, connected to FBI and FBI: Most Wanted on CBS, as well as Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med on NBC/Peacock. A crossover between International and Tony & Ziva would connect so many shows that it might just disrupt the TV universe as we know it!
While I doubt this crossover will actually happen, it would be fun to see actors from both shows share the screen, especially since they’re likely filming relatively close to each other. With Tony & Ziva shaping up to be one of the most unique entries in the NCIS franchise, and FBI: International bringing in Chicago P.D. veteran Jesse Lee Soffer as the new Fly Team leader, big changes are on the horizon. Unfortunately, one thing that might not change is the title of Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s show, as even Weatherly himself has commented on why it doesn’t feel quite right.
For now, fans can look forward to the Season 4 premiere of FBI: International on Tuesday, October 15 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS, sandwiched between FBI and FBI: Most Wanted. As for NCIS: Tony & Ziva, you can revisit all of Weatherly and de Pablo’s seasons of NCIS streaming on Paramount+ while you wait for the spinoff to premiere.
