After 13 years on the hit TV show NCIS, Michael Weatherly is preparing to say his final goodbye to his character, Tony DiNozzo. In an interview with TV Guide, Weatherly talks about his decision to leave the show, his feelings about his last days on set, and his future plans. Weatherly explains that he began seriously considering leaving NCIS two and a half years ago, after the departure of his on-screen sparring partner and love interest, Ziva. He felt that the dynamic between their characters was gone and realized that he had other things he wanted to do, such as spend time with his family and pursue other acting opportunities.
Weatherly’s new project is a pilot for a show called Bull, based on the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw. He fell in love with the script and is excited to get back into the game. He points out that the last time he auditioned for a TV show was in 1999. However, Weatherly is also open to returning to the NCIS franchise in the future, either on the main show or one of its spin-offs. He emphasizes that he is grateful for the wide range of acting opportunities that playing Tony DiNozzo has given him over the years.
As for Tony’s departure from the show, Weatherly promises that the finale will have plenty of emotional moments and surprises for the viewers. He worked hard to hit all the right emotional beats and include inside jokes for die-hard DiNozzo fans. The episode also features several cameos from familiar faces in NCIS history as Tony and the team continue their hunt for a rogue British spy.
In terms of his last days on set, Weatherly describes the experience as “epic” and “wonderful” and says that filming his final scenes with Pauley Perrette, who plays Abby, was very beautiful. Perrette admits that she was a mess during those scenes and says that the rest of her acting was totally real. Weatherly and the rest of the cast and crew have been preparing for his departure for the past six months, so they could properly acknowledge his contribution to the show.
In conclusion, Weatherly is feeling wistful as he films his final scenes as Tony DiNozzo and prepares to leave the show that made him a household name. He is thankful for the opportunities the role has given him and is excited for his future acting projects. The season finale of NCIS will air on May 17th, and viewers can expect emotional and surprising moments as Tony says his final goodbye.
