NCIS Formally Replaces Tony DiNozzo 9 Years After Michael Weatherly's Exit

It has been virtually a decade since Michael Weatherly left NCIS, and but, it is solely now that the procedural has been in a position to have his excellent substitute. The NCIS franchise could have been on the air for greater than twenty years, however it stays on the forefront of the TV zeitgeist, with the flagship going robust alongside two broadcast spinoffs. In 2025, it additionally debuted its very first streaming offshoot, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which noticed the small display screen reunion for Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s star-crossed lovers.

Forward of his spinoff return, Weatherly’s DiNozzo appeared in NCIS season 21‘s particular Ducky sendoff episode. Admittedly, it was weird seeing him again within the bullpen in spite of everything these years, particularly contemplating how a lot had modified with MCRT by then. At the moment, the destiny of NCIS: Tony & Ziva season 2 remains to be up within the air, which implies that Weatherly could proceed to play DiNozzo by way of the offshoot. Because the possibilities of him returning to the principle present are very slim, it is lucky that NCIS has lastly discovered his excellent substitute in season 23.

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

Cote de Pablo as Ziva David, Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo, and Mark Harmon as Jethro Gibbs in NCIS — NCIS Cote de Pablo Ziva David Michael Weatherly Anthony DiNozzo Mark Harmon Jethro Gibbs

A lot has already occurred in NCIS season 23 to date. It tackled the aftermath of Papa Parker’s loss of life, entertained the concept of Knight and Torres, delved deeper into Mama Parker’s mysterious loss of life, and introduced again Thom E. Gemcity. Amid all of this, the return of Zane Holtz as Particular Agent Dale Sawyer stands out for one specific cause — his look absolutely establishes him as the right successor of DiNozzo.

From the way in which he wears a full swimsuit to work to how he carries himself — a sarcastic and goofy however surprisingly good agent, Dale appears and looks like MCRT’s new Very Particular Agent. Granted that he has been in NCIS since season 18 as a recurring visitor star, his newest rendezvous with Parker’s crew highlights simply how a lot he has grown. It additionally helps that he has extra to do in his season 23 return past simply being a thorn in Torres’ aspect.

Whereas he was beforehand depicted as a cocky and even ineffective agent, Dale’s time with Knight and Torres on a case leads to a extra fleshed out character. One who has immense potential, if CBS offers him the possibility to constantly flourish in NCIS season 23.

Why NCIS Wants To Function Sawyer Extra Incessantly Transferring Ahead

NCIS season 22 Nick Torres and Dale Sawyer on a case

Regardless of being within the procedural for a number of years now, character improvement for Dale has been gradual, primarily as a result of he had been handled extra like a plot machine somewhat than an precise character. By way of storytelling, he additionally works with the MCRT nightshift crew — an integral member of Navy Yard’s operation that hasn’t been given their time to actually shine.

After Dale’s promising NCIS season 23 comeback, there’s sufficient motivation to convey him again extra incessantly. Now that he is discovered a technique to work civilly with Torres, it is a dynamic that CBS can grow to be one thing sudden. Dale may even be what NCIS must lastly transfer ahead with the teased romance between Knight and Torres.

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