Michael Weatherly, known for his role as Tony DiNozzo on NCIS, had several notable love storylines on the show, one of which mirrored his real-life experiences. Tony’s romance with Jeanne Benoit, played by Scottie Thompson, was particularly significant. Jeanne, who first appeared in Season 4, was the daughter of an arms dealer, and DiNozzo, who was working undercover, fell in love with her. Their relationship ultimately ended due to conflicting goals. Thompson reprised her role sporadically through Season 13, seamlessly fitting back into the storyline. “It’s like I was never gone,” she told ET.
Weatherly saw parallels between his character’s romantic journey and his own life. After the DiNozzo-Benoit arc, Weatherly fell in love with a doctor during his hiatus and eventually married her. When Thompson returned to NCIS, Weatherly humorously remarked to his wife, “Remember when I told you about that story arc eight years ago? It’s back.”
Michael Weatherly also shared his thoughts on a potential love interest he believed would have been better suited for Tony DiNozzo than Jeanne Benoit. He suggested that EJ Barrett, portrayed by Sarah Jane Morris, would have been a stronger match for DiNozzo. Barrett and DiNozzo’s storyline began in Season 8, and although they both received international promotions, DiNozzo chose to stay while Barrett accepted the job.
Weatherly appreciated the fresh dynamic Barrett brought to the show, allowing DiNozzo to reflect on his career and be intrigued by someone who made a different life choice. He viewed Barrett as a more stable and mature love interest compared to previous ones like Benoit. “She’s a pretty compelling adult, unlike some of the women Tony has been interested in in the past,” Weatherly told Television Line. “Their interaction is unfettered by complications like her being an undercover mark with an arms dealer father.”
Barrett’s grounded nature enabled DiNozzo to experience genuine interest. “For the first time, he’s genuinely interested in someone who’s real,” Weatherly told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s not a blowup doll or a Mossad assassin. This was a great opportunity for Tony to develop normal feelings and explore a crush without the usual complications.”
