Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting an eternity for this. The "will-they-won't-they" that defined an entire era of procedural TV is finally moving past the teasing phase. For years, the NCIS fandom subsisted on crumbs—a mention of Paris here, a guest appearance there. But with NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the "Tiva" ship hasn't just sailed; it’s upgraded to a high-octane European powerboat.
This isn't your grandfather’s NCIS. The cast of NCIS: Tony & Ziva is a weird, exciting mix of nostalgic heavyweights and international fresh blood. We aren't in a DC bullpen anymore. We’re in the shadows of Budapest and the streets of Paris.
The Return of the Heavyweights: Weatherly and de Pablo
You can't have the show without them. Michael Weatherly returns as Anthony DiNozzo, and Cote de Pablo is back as Ziva David. It’s been over a decade since they shared a screen properly, and let’s be real, the chemistry was always the engine of the show.
Weatherly has been busy with Bull for years, but he never really let Tony go. He’s also executive producing this time around, which basically means he has a say in making sure Tony isn't just a comic relief guy anymore. He's a father now. He’s older. He’s running a private security firm in Europe that—surprise, surprise—gets attacked in the very first episode.
Then there’s Cote de Pablo. Her exit from the original series was... let’s call it "complicated." Fans were devastated. Finding out Ziva was alive in Season 17 was a massive relief, but this new series is where we actually see the scars. She isn't the same Mossad-trained assassin we met in Season 3. She’s a mother trying to find peace in a world that won't let her have it.
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Meeting Tali: The Heart of the Show
The biggest question mark for fans was always: "Who is playing Tali?" We saw her as a toddler, but now she’s a full-blown tween.
Isla Gie is the one stepping into those very big shoes. You might recognize her from Foundation or Slow Horses. She’s playing a 12-year-old Tali who is, predictably, a bit of a handful. She’s grown up in Paris with two former spies for parents—she’s intuitive, she’s vigilant, and she’s tired of being treated like a kid.
The dynamic here is the real hook. It’s not just about stopping a global conspiracy; it’s about a family on the run. If you’ve ever tried to travel with a pre-teen, you know the drama is real even without international assassins chasing you.
The New Faces in the Inner Circle
Since they aren't at NCIS headquarters, they need a new team. The NCIS: Tony & Ziva supporting cast is surprisingly diverse, pulling talent from all over the UK and Europe.
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- Amita Suman as Claudette: Known for Shadow and Bone, Suman plays the Chief Technical Officer at Tony’s security company. She’s the person who keeps the lights on and the hackers out.
- Maximilian Osinski as Boris: He was great in Ted Lasso and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Here, he’s a Russian ex-pat and a world-class hacker. He’s the "wild card" entry—someone who lives outside the law but happens to be very useful when you’re being hunted.
- Lara Rossi as Sophie: A former SAS pro who acts as Tali's caretaker. Think of her as the ultimate nanny with a very particular set of skills.
- James D’Arcy as Henry: A high-ranking Interpol official. D’Arcy is a veteran (you’ve seen him in Agent Carter and Oppenheimer), and he brings that necessary "is he a good guy or a bad guy?" energy to the law enforcement side of things.
Interpol and the European Connection
The scope of this show is massive. They filmed in Budapest, which often stands in for other European locales, but the vibe is distinctly "Euro-thriller."
Julian Ovenden plays Jonah, the Secretary General of Interpol. If you’re a Bridgerton fan, you’ll know him, but he’s playing a much more decisive, powerful figure here. Then you have Nassima Benchicou as Martine, a former French intelligence agent who seems to be playing every side of the fence.
It’s a crowded house. You’ve also got Terence Maynard playing Dr. Lang, a therapist who specializes in trauma. This is a subtle but important hint that the show is going to deal with the psychological toll of Ziva’s "death" and their years apart. It’s not just gunfights; it’s about the mental baggage they’ve been carrying since 2013.
Why This Cast Works (And What Could Go Wrong)
Most spinoffs fail because they try to recreate the original magic with a budget version of the old cast. This show isn't doing that. It’s leaning into a different genre entirely—more Bourne Identity than CSI.
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The chemistry between Weatherly and de Pablo is the safety net. Even if the plot gets a bit "self-driving murder cars" (which is an actual thing they've teased), people will watch just to see them bicker. The risk? Well, NCIS fans are notoriously picky. If the new characters feel like they’re taking too much spotlight away from the central duo, there might be some friction.
But honestly? Seeing James D'Arcy go head-to-head with Michael Weatherly sounds like exactly the kind of TV we need right now. It feels fresh. It feels like the characters actually grew up while they were off-screen.
What to Watch Next
If you’re looking to get up to speed before the next episode drops, don't bother rewatching all 20+ seasons of the original show. You’ll lose your mind. Instead, focus on the "Ziva is alive" arc in Season 17 of NCIS. That’s the most direct bridge to what’s happening now.
You should also keep an eye on Paramount+ for the behind-the-scenes specials. Weatherly and de Pablo have been very vocal about their involvement in the writing process, and hearing them talk about why they chose these specific actors for the new roles gives a lot of insight into the show's direction. It's a passion project, and in an era of corporate reboots, that actually counts for something.