The new Paramount+ series, “NCIS: Tony & Ziva,” marks the long-awaited return of two of the franchise’s most popular characters. Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo reprise their roles as special agents Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo and Ziva David, whose on-screen chemistry captivated viewers and inspired the fan-created moniker “Tiva.” The series finds the former partners amicably co-parenting their 12-year-old daughter, Tali (Isla Gie), after years apart.
A spin-off of the globally successful “NCIS” universe, which itself originated from “JAG,” this new entry distinguishes itself from its broadcast predecessors. Streaming on Paramount+, the show features a more mature tone and a larger budget that accommodates international locations and expansive action sequences. Unlike the largely episodic nature of earlier “NCIS” installments, “Tony & Ziva” unfolds as a single, serialized story over ten episodes.
The series, created by John McNamara, is set in Paris, where both characters have built new lives as civilians. Ziva operates a language school, while Tony runs a high-end security service. Their relative peace is shattered when a powerful thumb drive—a device capable of manipulating any computer system—is used to frame Tony for extortion and threaten their daughter’s life. This event thrusts the pair back into a world of high-stakes espionage, forcing them on the run across Europe.
This “couple-on-the-run” premise, reminiscent of classics like “The 39 Steps,” places Tony and Ziva in constant close quarters, reigniting their unresolved romantic tension. The narrative balances its techno-thriller elements with the workplace-comedy dynamic that has long been a hallmark of the “NCIS” brand. The villains are presented as stateless, Bond-style antagonists motivated by power and money, a choice that gives the series broad international appeal.
Despite their civilian status, both characters retain their formidable skills. Ziva, a former Mossad assassin, maintains a network of safe houses and arsenals, while both are not hesitant to use their old NCIS badges to navigate obstacles. They are joined by a supporting cast that includes Boris (Maximilian Osinski), the Russian hacker who created the drive; his fiancée Fruzsi (Anne-Marie Waldeck); Tony’s tech expert Claudette (Amita Suman); and Interpol executive Henry (James D’Arcy), a friend whose loyalties may be tested.
While the plot embraces familiar genre tropes, from marketplace car chases to fights with seemingly unstoppable henchmen, the series is anchored by the compelling chemistry between its leads. Weatherly portrays Tony as a heroically unflappable everyman, while de Pablo’s Ziva remains a serious and formidable force. The authentic connection between the veteran characters provides an emotional core that grounds the action, proving why their partnership has remained a fan favorite for over a decade.
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