NCIS Officially Replaces Tony DiNozzo 9 Years After Michael Weatherly’s Exit

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It’s been nearly ten years since Michael Weatherly departed from NCIS, but the show has finally found a fitting successor. Despite being on the air for over twenty years, the NCIS franchise continues to be a major part of television culture, with the original series still popular and two spin-offs on broadcast TV. In 2025, the franchise expanded to streaming with NCIS: Tony & Ziva, bringing Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo back together as their beloved characters.

Before returning in his own spinoff series, Michael Weatherly reprised his role as Tony DiNozzo in a special episode of NCIS season 21, honoring Ducky’s character. It felt strange seeing him back at headquarters after so long, especially since the team at MCRT had changed so much. The future of NCIS: Tony & Ziva season 2 is still uncertain, which could mean Weatherly continues playing DiNozzo through the spinoff. While a full return to the original NCIS seems unlikely, the show has successfully cast a great new character in season 23 to fill his role.

Dale Sawyer Becomes The Full Embodiment Of Tony DiNozzo’s NCIS Successor

Season 23 of NCIS has been packed with developments so far, including dealing with the fallout from Papa Parker’s death, exploring a potential romance between Knight and Torres, and investigating the mysteries surrounding Mama Parker’s passing. The show also brought back Thom E. Gemcity. However, the return of Zane Holtz as Special Agent Dale Sawyer is particularly notable because it solidifies him as the ideal replacement for DiNozzo.

Dale immediately feels like a key member of MCRT, from his professional suits to his unique personality – he’s a sarcastic, funny, and surprisingly effective agent. While he’s been appearing on NCIS since season 18, his current assignment with Parker’s team really showcases his development. This season, his return isn’t just about playfully annoying Torres; he has a much more significant role.

Dale used to seem arrogant and ineffective, but working with Knight and Torres on a recent case showed a more developed side of him. He clearly has a lot of potential, and fans hope CBS allows him to continue growing in season 23 of NCIS.

Why NCIS Needs To Feature Sawyer More Frequently Moving Forward

Dale has been part of the show for a while, but his character hasn’t developed much because he’s often been used to move the plot forward instead of being a fully realized person. He’s also part of the dedicated nightshift team at the Navy Yard, and like them, hasn’t had a chance to really stand out in the story.

Following a successful return in season 23, there’s a good reason to have Dale appear on NCIS more often. His newfound ability to work well with Torres creates an interesting pairing that CBS could really explore. Dale might even be the key to finally developing the romantic connection hinted at between Knight and Torres.

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2025-12-27 18:05