As the 2024 TV schedule unfolds, we’ve learned more about the upcoming NCIS spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva. When series lead Michael Weatherly announced the title, fan reactions were mixed. While some liked it, others thought it needed improvement. It appears Weatherly agrees with the latter group.
**Fan Reactions to the NCIS Spinoff Title**
On Reddit, one popular comment about the show’s name was: “I hope the writers are better at storytelling than they are at naming.” Some fans suggested naming the series after a location, like NCIS: Europe, given that it’s filming in Budapest. Others proposed titles like NCIS: Trust No One or NCIS: D&D (DiNozzo and David) for a cooler vibe.
**Michael Weatherly’s Thoughts on the Title**
Speaking at the Monte Carlo TV festival (via La Gazette de Monaco), Weatherly hinted at some reservations about the title. He said, “We’ve just completed the casting process. The series should really be called NCIS: Tony, Ziva, and Tali, because their child is at the center of their preoccupations. When you have a child, you have to work out what’s best for them. At the same time, Tony and Ziva also have to save the world. Tali is the perfect character to introduce new sources of trouble.”
Weatherly emphasized Tali’s importance to the spinoff, aligning with previous comments about the show’s different approach. Unlike traditional NCIS series, this spinoff will be available on Paramount+ and won’t follow the procedural format with 20+ episodes.
**Cote de Pablo on the New Format**
Cote de Pablo, speaking at the same event, explained how the new series will differ. “There won’t be a flash image with a dead body at the beginning. We won’t have to solve a crime and then in the end everything works out and everyone goes back to their dysfunctional families! (laughs) We wanted to take our two characters away from the agency and have them develop internationally. The other main difference is the format, since we’re making ten episodes instead of 24. And we’re shooting ten hours a day!”
**Release Timeline**
Filming is set to begin this summer, so NCIS: Tony & Ziva might not hit screens until late 2024 or even 2025. This delay could give producers time to reconsider the title, appeasing fans who aren’t thrilled with the current choice.
NCIS airs on CBS in the US, with Seasons 1-20 streaming on Disney+ in the UK.
