A wave of excitement swept through Toronto’s Hotel X last week for lucky contest winners as Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva David), the iconic duo from the NCIS franchise, took the stage for a Q&A with CHFI host Gurdeep Ahluwalia.
The stars were in town to celebrate their new Paramount+ series, NCIS: Tony & Ziva and spilled the tea on their on-screen reunion, that legendary chemistry, and what fans can expect from the next chapter of “Tiva.”
The Reunion
The pair revealed that getting back together on screen after all these years felt both “surreal” and “very emotional.” De Pablo shared that she and Weatherly have been friends for 20 years and immediately started talking about bringing their characters back once they both left the OG NCIS. “We manifested it,” she declared, but they had to wait a bit as Weatherly was working on his other series, Bull.
As for their famed chemistry, it took “no work at all,” according to Weatherly. De Pablo confirmed their rapport was immediate, fulfilling the discussions and dreams they’d had over the years. De Pablo even had an emotional déjà vu moment while filming a very intense, pivotal scene, taking it as a sign from the universe that their lives – and this project – were “right on track.”
Character Evolution
De Pablo expressed great pride in Ziva’s ability to overcome challenging things, noting that women often approach her, thanking the character for inspiring their own journeys of strength. She likes that the fans see and identify with this inner resilience.
Weatherly focused on stripping away Tony’s defence mechanisms – the “uncomfortable, awkward… diversions” – to make him more direct, emotional, and connected to Ziva. He aimed to get the “clutter out of the way” to show Tony’s growth into a mature partner and protector.
Behind the Scenes: Laughter and Improv
When the cameras stop rolling, the vibe on set is filled with laughter and a spirit of play. Weatherly noted that their relationship is so deep that they often don’t have to say much, communicating with a look when a scene isn’t quite “gelling.” The playful atmosphere, he said, encourages everyone to be silly and creative, which helps bring “some kind of unexpected magic” to the performances.
As for who breaks character most? The two good-naturedly disagreed, but Weatherly admitted he’s known for improv. De Pablo recalled one instance where his unscripted take, involving a child psychologist, beautifully “tapped into” something genuine that made it into the final cut. Weatherly credited the spirit of NCIS creator Donald Bellisario, who encouraged him right from the start to “surprise me.”
What’s the ultimate “Tiva” fantasy date? For Weatherly, it would be a hilariously exhausting Parisian whirlwind involving breakfast in bed, a scooter ride, a friend’s helicopter for an Eiffel Tower view, and a late-night art house movie. But real-life parenting, they confirmed, is far more stressful than the “on the run” drama of the show!
The season finale of NCIS: Tony & Ziva streams this Thursday, October 23, on Paramount+. Stay tuned to The TV Watercooler for exclusive red carpet interviews with Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo!
