Curious World Staff
Michael Weatherly, star of NCIS, experienced several love storylines on the show, but one subplot closely mirrored his real-life experiences.
What Michael Weatherly’s ‘NCIS’ Love Interest and His Real Wife Had in Common
Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly on NCIS, had a notable love interest in Scottie Thompson’s Jeanne Benoit, who initially debuted in Season 4. DiNozzo, who was operating covertly at the time, fell for Benoit, the daughter of an arms dealer. Their partnership ended due to opposing ambitions, although Thompson returned in season 5 and appeared until season 13.
Despite the gap, Thompson easily resumed her role. “It’s like I was never gone,” she told ET.
Weatherly noted the similarities between his character’s love life and his own. After DiNozzo’s storyline with Benoit, Weatherly fell in love with a doctor during his hiatus and married her. Reflecting on Benoit’s return, he told his wife, “Remember when I told you about that story arc eight years ago? It’s back.”
Michael Weatherly Reveals Potential Love Interest He Thinks Would Have Been Better for Tony DiNozzo than Jeanne Benoit
Michael Weatherly thought that EJ Barrett, played by Sarah Jane Morris, would have been a stronger love interest for his NCIS character Tony DiNozzo than Jeanne Benoit. Barrett and DiNozzo were introduced in season 8 and had a connection when both were given international promotions; DiNozzo stayed, while Barrett accepted the job.
Weatherly appreciated the new dynamic Barrett brought, allowing DiNozzo to question his career choices and feel intrigued by someone who made a different decision. He considered Barrett 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.”
Weatherly further noted that Barrett’s grounded nature allowed DiNozzo to experience genuine interest. “For the first time, he’s genuinely interested in someone who’s real,” he 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.”
Related News – Be sure to get some more news when it comes to NCIS.
