NCIS: Tony & Ziva—The 7 Biggest Shockers And Must-Know Details Before The 2025 Premiere

The long-awaited reunion of "Tiva" is no longer a rumor—it is a confirmed, full-scale international event. As of today, December 10, 2025, the highly anticipated Paramount+ spin-off, officially titled *NCIS: Tony & Ziva*, has a locked-in premiere date and a thrilling new premise that immediately separates it from the flagship show. This article dives deep into the seven most critical and fresh details fans need to know about the series that brings former Special Agents Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo and Ziva David back into the action, this time as a family on the run. The spin-off is poised to be one of the biggest television events of the year, reigniting the flame for the most celebrated romantic pairing in the *NCIS* universe. The story picks up years after Ziva’s return from the dead and Tony’s departure to raise their daughter, Tali DiNozzo, promising a high-stakes adventure across Europe that forces the couple to confront a dangerous, shadowy conspiracy while navigating the challenges of co-parenting.

Michael Weatherly & Cote de Pablo: A Biographical Profile

The success of the *NCIS: Tony & Ziva* series rests entirely on the shoulders of its two iconic stars, Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. Their undeniable chemistry, often dubbed "Tiva," was the emotional core of *NCIS* for years. Here is a brief look at the actors behind the legendary characters.

• Michael Weatherly (Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo)
  • Full Name: Michael Manning Weatherly Jr.
  • Born: July 8, 1968, in New York City, New York, U.S.
  • Nationality: American
  • Key Roles Beyond NCIS: Logan Cale in *Dark Angel*, Cooper Alden in *Loving* and *The City*, and Dr. Jason Bull in *Bull*.
  • NCIS Tenure: 2003–2016 (Season 1–13), with guest appearances.
• Cote de Pablo (Ziva David)
  • Full Name: María José de Pablo Fernández
  • Born: November 12, 1979, in Santiago, Chile
  • Nationality: Chilean-American
  • Key Roles Beyond NCIS: Protagonist in the miniseries *The Dovekeepers*, and the film *The 33*.
  • NCIS Tenure: 2005–2013 (Season 3–11), with guest appearances in Seasons 16 and 17.

The 7 Critical Details About the NCIS: Tony & Ziva Spin-Off

The new series, which was greenlit by Paramount+ in February 2024, is not a standard procedural. It is described as a 10-episode, limited-run adventure that focuses heavily on the family dynamic under extreme duress.

1. The Official Premiere Date and Release Schedule

The most significant piece of news is the official launch date. *NCIS: Tony & Ziva* will premiere on Thursday, September 4, 2025, exclusively on the streaming service Paramount+. The first season will consist of 10 episodes, with a massive three-episode premiere event to kick off the story. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly. This streaming-first approach allows the show to tackle grittier themes and a more serialized plot than the original CBS procedural.

2. The Plot: A Dangerous European Conspiracy

The series takes place primarily in Europe, a major shift from the Washington D.C. setting of the flagship *NCIS* and its other U.S.-based spin-offs. The official logline confirms that Tony’s security company is attacked, forcing the family to go on the run. The central conflict is a dangerous, shadowy conspiracy that targets the DiNozzo-David family directly. This international thriller format promises globe-trotting action, likely touching on Ziva’s Mossad past and Tony’s life outside of NCIS.

3. Tali DiNozzo is a Main Character

The heart of the new series is the family unit, and Tali DiNozzo, Tony and Ziva’s daughter, is officially a main character. The role of Tali is played by young actress Isla Gie. Tali is now approximately 12 years old, and the show’s premise revolves around Tony and Ziva learning to co-parent in a life-or-death situation. This adds a unique layer of emotional stakes, as the former agents are not just fighting for their lives, but for their daughter’s safety and future.

4. Tony’s New Career as a Cybersecurity CEO

When Tony DiNozzo left NCIS in Season 13, he did so to raise Tali after Ziva’s presumed death. The spin-off reveals that Tony has established a new career as the head of a major Cybersecurity company. This new professional life is the catalyst for the entire series, as the attack on his company is what forces the family into hiding across Europe. This provides a fresh, modern context for Tony’s skills, moving him from a federal agent to a private sector target.

5. The Creative Team: John McNamara as Showrunner

The series is not being helmed by the original *NCIS* showrunners, which suggests a distinct creative direction. John McNamara, known for co-creating critically acclaimed shows like *The Magicians*, *Fastlane*, and *Profit*, serves as the showrunner. McNamara also penned the series premiere. This choice signals a potential shift towards a more serialized, character-driven, and possibly more fantastical narrative style than the classic *NCIS* procedural. Weatherly and de Pablo are also serving as Executive Producers, ensuring their beloved characters remain authentic.

6. The Production Entities and NCIS Universe Expansion

*NCIS: Tony & Ziva* is a product of CBS Studios and will be distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The spin-off is a major expansion of the ever-growing *NCIS* universe, adding a new international flavor alongside existing series like *NCIS: Sydney* and the flagship show. The production team also includes Executive Producers Laurie Lieser, Christina Strain, Shelley Meals, and Mairzee Almas, forming a robust creative collective.

7. The Return of the "Tiva" Dynamic

For years, the complex, slow-burn relationship between Tony and Ziva—a dynamic affectionately termed "Tiva" by the fanbase—has been the gold standard for television romance. The new series promises to explore the reality of their reunion, moving beyond the romantic tension to the practical and dangerous reality of building a life together. The co-parenting aspect, combined with the constant threat of a dangerous conspiracy, will test their relationship in ways that *NCIS* never did, offering fans a deeper, more mature look at the couple. This emotional core is what the producers hope will make the spin-off a record-breaking success for the franchise.