The new NCIS spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, is the perfect chance to bring back some key characters from the franchise. This series, starring Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, will finally focus on Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David’s story, giving the show a unique opportunity to revive connections with past NCIS favorites.
Here are five important characters that would add depth and nostalgia to Tony and Ziva’s new adventures.
Ari Haswari: Why Ziva’s Half-Brother Should Return as a Ghost?
Ari Haswari, Ziva David’s half-brother, would make a compelling addition as a ghost in NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Introduced in NCIS Season 1, Ari infiltrated NCIS, becoming an antagonist who was ultimately k1lled by Ziva in Season 3 to protect Gibbs. This deeply complicated Ziva’s relationship with her brother and her duties as a Mossad agent.
Reintroducing Ari as a ghost or hallucination could help Ziva confront unresolved emotions and the consequences of her behavior. Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly even mentioned on their Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast that they’d want to see Rudolf Martin reprise his character in this unique fashion.
Orli Elbaz: The Mossad Director Needs to Make a Comeback on Tony & Ziva SpinOff
Orli Elbaz, played by Marina Sirtis, played an important but brief role in NCIS, heavily influencing Tony and Ziva’s story. Elbaz first appeared in season 10, episode 21, “Berlin,” as the new Mossad Director following the death of Eli David. Her most dramatic appearance occurred in season 13, episode 24, “Family First,” when she notified Tony that he and Ziva had a daughter, Tali, following Ziva’s believed death in a devastating fire. This poignant episode marked both the reveal of Tony’s fatherhood and his departure from NCIS, as he left to raise Tali in Paris, where Ziva subsequently joined them. Given her strong connection to Tony and Ziva’s story, a future check-in from the Mossad director would be emotionally charged.
Eleanor Bishop: How Ellie’s NSA Skills Could Be Handy on NCIS: Tony & Ziva
Eleanor Bishop, played by Emily Wickersham, could be a valuable addition to NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Ellie joined Gibbs’ team after Ziva’s departure and played a key role in uncovering Ziva’s survival in season 16. As a former NSA agent, she was initially a liaison officer before becoming a special agent. Her intelligence background and connection to Ziva make her a great fit for the spinoff, which focuses on international intelligence agents. Ellie could provide vital intel and support to her old friends in this new narrative.
Abby Sciuto: Why Pauley Perrette Deserves a Comeback on NCIS: Tony & Ziva?
Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto is a beloved character from the NCIS universe, originally part of Gibbs’ team and debuting in the pilot of JAG. Her potential return to the franchise, particularly in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, could be a significant moment. This setting would allow her to rejoin the story without appearing in the flagship series, honoring her vow to avoid it due to past disputes with Mark Harmon.
Abby’s strong bond with Tony, Ziva, and McGee makes her reappearance feel bittersweet, especially now that Tony and Ziva are officially dating. Her entrance would bring Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly full circle, as Abby’s technical talents would be helpful in dealing with the threats to Tony’s security firm. It would be a heartfelt reunion for these beloved characters.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: How Ziva Could Persuade Gibbs to Return and Assist the Team
Including Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the Tony and Ziva spinoff would be an epic and heartfelt move. Since Mark Harmon exited NCIS in season 19, his return is highly anticipated, especially with the upcoming prequel series, NCIS: Origins, exploring Gibbs’ past. While Gibbs is enjoying retirement in Alaska, it would be realistic for him to come back to help old friends. Ziva has successfully pulled him out of retirement before, like in season 4 when she convinced him to return from Mexico. His comeback in the spinoff could also simply be a brief phone call to check in on Tony and Ziva, maintaining his role as a mentor.
