Michael Weatherly suddenly returns as Tony DiNozzo in NCIS season 21, and his return represents more than just a Gibbs cameo.
Tony DiNozzo returns in NCIS season 21’s Ducky’s tribute episode, and Michael Weatherly’s comeback is bigger and better than Leroy Jethro Gibbs’. In light of David McCallum’s death in 2023, the police procedural prepares an emotional farewell to his beloved character, Dr. Mallard.
The actor is the last original NCIS character to appear in the series. He remained a core cast member until his death, though he only appeared on occasion – a concession reached by CBS to allow him more time with his family, particularly as he grew older.
Ducky has worked with every version of the NCIS team since its inception, so it only seems sense that he receives the tribute episode that he deserves.
While the current cast includes long-time characters like Timothy McGee and his protégé, Jimmy Palmer, there were some hopes that additional characters from that era of the show would return.
NCIS had a simple plan to bring Gibbs back for Ducky’s memorial episode. Instead of having Mark Harmon make a cameo appearance, the CBS police procedural hired Weatherly to play DiNozzo again.
Brian Dietzen, who plays Ducky’s on-screen protégé, also co-wrote NCIS season 21, episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” with Scott Williams.
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