The last veteran actor of NCIS is leaving the series after 22 years: the creators have to find a good reason to bring him back

News culture The last veteran actor of NCIS is leaving the series after 22 years: the creators have to find a good reason to bring him back

Almost everyone knows it NCIS. It’s hard to miss this monument to the audiovisual world. It is one of the oldest and most popular crime investigation series. Since its debut in 2003, it has made a name for itself by following the professional lives of a United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service team. After more than 22 seasons, the series has also seen many twists and turns numerous spin-offs in several major US cities. We therefore find NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-2023), NCIS: New Orleans (2014-2021), NCIS: Hawaii (2021-2024), NCIS: Sydney (since 2023) or NCIS: Origins (since 2024) currently broadcasting.

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A departure not without emotions

After more than 21 years of existence NCIS: Special Investigations takes a while, but the main players are gradually leaving the country. But there is one departure that affects a large proportion of admirers during the broadcast of season 22 and it is the actor who makes the most appearances outside of the main cast. I’m of course talking about Tobias Fornell’s FBI agent, played by Joe Spano, who appeared in 58 different episodes. He stepped in when NCIS needed help from the FBI. In number four of the last season, the audience understands the plot Th is is the last time they will see his character.

Fans of the franchise have already asked many questions about his role in the series, including one that comes up often: Why didn’t he get more involved in NCIS? The actor answered this question on Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch, the podcast hosted by Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, who played DiNozzo and Ziva, respectively. “I didn’t want to have to do what you did. Not really in terms of how long it takes to shoot, but in terms of what it means to your life. I could see it clearly. You changed and had to stay that way to promote the show, to respond to people seeing you that way. It’s not really your fault, but you have to accept it for your work and for the public. But when we do that all the time, I think we forget a little bit about who we are

Another spin-off series planned for 2025?

Nothing can stop the NCIS universe. The CBS broadcaster has started preparing and filming NCIS: Tony & Ziva last July. It takes place several years after the original NCIS. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, who play DiNozzo and Ziva respectively, return and are now raising their daughter. But Tony’s security company is targeted and they have to flee across Europe to find out who is after them. The release date is currently set for 2025, but no other additional information is available.