‘I Wrote A 10-Page Email’: NCIS’ Michael Weatherly Lays Out How He Developed Tony DiNozzo Following JAG Debut

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'I Wrote A 10-Page Email': NCIS' Michael Weatherly Lays Out How He Developed Tony DiNozzo Following JAG Debut

As a dedicated gamer and long-time fan of NCIS, I can’t help but be fascinated by the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped this iconic TV franchise. The way Michael Weatherly developed Tony DiNozzo’s character before the show even premiered is a testament to his dedication and creativity.

NCIS, available for streaming with a Paramount+ subscription, holds the title as one of television’s longest-running scripted series, leading to a franchise encompassing four spinoffs and two more in development. Originally, it began as a spinoff itself. The pivotal “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown” episodes from JAG’s Season 8 introduced key characters: Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo, Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto, and David McCallum’s Donald “Ducky” Mallard. Between these episodes’ airing and NCIS’ debut on CBS, Weatherly devoted considerable time to refining Tony’s character depth. He documented his efforts in a comprehensive “10-page email.”

In a recent episode of “Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch,” the actor reflected on the early days of his character in NCIS during a conversation with Cote de Pablo, who portrayed Ziva David, and Robert Wagner, the actor behind Anthony DiNozzo Sr. Weatherly initiated the discussion by sharing how Donald Bellisario, the creator of both JAG and NCIS, reached out to him after JAG episodes were broadcasted to the public.

As someone who has spent years working in the television industry, I can relate to the experience of working closely with a talented team to bring a show to life. In this particular case, I was part of the core group behind the spinoff of JAG, which included Mark Harmon, David McCallum, and Pauley Perette. After the first two episodes aired, I received an email from my colleague and creator of the show, Don Bellisario. He mentioned that he was having trouble hearing my character’s voice in the scripts and wanted to make sure it stood out.

Before landing roles on “JAG” and “NCIS,” Michael Weatherly had gained significant TV experience, primarily recognized for portraying Logan Cale in “Dark Angel.” When given the opportunity to play Tony by Donald Bellisario, Weatherly saw it as a major opportunity. In preparation for this new character, he put considerable thought into its background and penned down his imaginative backstory in a lengthy email.

In simpler terms, I discussed how DiNozzo was brought up without his mother, who had passed away when he was a child. His father, known for being a con man and an unreliable figure from It Takes a Thief, shaped DiNozzo’s upbringing and influenced him to become a cop. I aimed to add complexity and conflict to the character by focusing on his strained relationship with his father as a significant aspect of his young life.

In the seventh season episode “Flesh and Blood” of NCIS, Robert Wagner made his debut as Anthony DiNozzo Sr., and at first, their relationship was tense due to years of separation. But as Wagner continued to appear as a guest star, the father-son duo managed to reconcile and develop a stronger bond. In the final episode of Season 13, they even met his granddaughter, which coincidentally was also Michael Weatherly’s last appearance on NCIS. During a podcast interview, when Cote de Pablo questioned if Tony’s connection with his father resembled Weatherly’s own relationship with Gibbs, he answered:

As someone who has had the pleasure of watching Gibbs’ character development throughout the entirety of NCIS, I can honestly say that his relationship with DiNozzo Sr. was a fascinating one. At first, I saw Gibbs as a stern and serious leader, but once we were introduced to Anthony DiNozzo Sr., I knew their connection would be something special.

Michael Weatherly made a comeback as Tony in the “NCIS” Season 21 episode “The Stories We Leave Behind,” honoring the late David McCallum. This was a prelude to bigger things, as Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are teaming up for the Paramount+ exclusive spinoff “NCIS: Tony & Ziva,” currently filming in Budapest. Although it’s uncertain if Robert Wagner will return as Sr. in this series due to his age and extended hiatus from acting, we can only hope for an update on his current activities. Perhaps Weatherly could exchange some friendly emails about this!

In the meantime, the 22nd season of NCIS will debut on CBS every Monday starting October 14, 2024. Additionally, CBS has scheduled the Gibbs-centered prequel, NCIS: Origins, for the same night. Further information about NCIS: Tony & Ziva will be shared as it becomes available.

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2024-07-20 02:37