How Bull's Ending Could Bring DiNozzo Back To The NCIS Fold

NCIS Special Agent in charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs Mark Harmon had a revolving door featuring unforgettable NCIS colleagues. However, there are perhaps few that fans will fondly remember as very Special Agent Anthony Tony DiNozzo. Portrayed by Michael Weatherly the character has made a lasting impression on fans due to his banter romantic interweaving and impressive skill on the field. DiNozzo can add some humorous brevity during serious moments but he also manages to grab the audience's attention significantly whenever the story focuses on him. Of course, the success of this particular feature is also a testament to Weatherly's acting chops which surprisingly make up the character's backstory.

 Fans were sad when Weatherly left NCIS at the end of Season 13 but in doing so the actor became a leader in the CBS legal drama Bull. In the second CBS series, Weatherly played Dr. Jason Ball a psychiatrist and trial expert. In its early years, Bull was a steady success for CBS via TV Rating Guide but the network decided in 2022 that its sixth season would be it's last. When Bull aired its series finale in late May 2022 NCIS fans couldn't help but ask a crucial question Does the end of Bull mean a return for DiNozzo is in sight?

It all depends on Weatherly

Not only are fans excited about DiNozzo's comeback but NCIS producer Stephen de Bender is also excited. As Bender told TV Insider he and Weatherly have argued about the actor's reappearance on NCIS for some time. I would definitely like to do something like this Bender said. It's going to be up to Michael Weatherly. He and I have talked over the years about it and he's always been in Bull and [since] he's been in Bull-it just seemed weird and it just wasn't right.

With Weatherly now freed from the Bull obligations, the door is wide open for the actor to rejoin the old NCIS cast. However, it appears that Weatherly is in no hurry to return to his old series or any other show. In a TV Insider interview, Bender went on to point out that Weatherly was taking a well-deserved break. According to the official Twitter site, the ending of Bull Weatherly also seemed to be reflecting on his impressive run. However, he also took the time to subtly hint at the possibility of returning to the role of DiNozzo one day. So we still have to wait to see.

Can we bring the old team back together for a cause?

Even if DiNozzo returns to NCIS only for a brief period he will probably have to adjust to a completely different team. At the end of the thirteenth season, the main case response team consists of Gibbs Timothy McGee Sean Murray Eleanor Bishop Emily Wickersham Clayton Reeves Dwan Henry and Tess Munro Sarah Clark. Additionally, Donald Ducky Mallard David McCallum handles the autopsies and Abigail Scioto Pauli Perrett handles the forensics. All these years after that McGee is the only character who remains in a similar situation although he now holds Tony's desk.

Of course, it's not out of the question that DiNozzos appearance could also mark a surprise reunion that includes other fan favorites. In 2022 Murray told Parade that Harmon hadn't left the series entirely because he was still appearing as a producer. Interestingly enough this fact convinced Murray that we would see Gibbs appear in the series again. It's not like he packed his bags and left town or something Murray said. I'm not just saying this for kidding and all that bullshit I really really really think Gibbs could show up somewhere.

What better reason for Gibbs's comeback than DiNozzos? And if DiNozzo and Gibbs ever come back wouldn't this be the perfect time to bring back another beloved ex? Left to die Ziva Cote de Pablo unexpectedly returns in Season 16 before leaving again at the start of Season 17. The last time she appears she returns to DiNozzo and her daughter in off-screen Paris. So it would make sense for all three to appear again and for the book to finally give fans an on-screen appearance of the pair officially together.