Michael Weatherly has confirmed that his upcoming return to *NCIS* for Season 24 will honor the established storyline of the *Tony & Ziva* spinoff.

Weatherly, who portrays Tony DiNozzo, is slated for a season-long arc, marking his return to the long-running CBS drama where he was an original cast member until his departure at the end of Season 13.

The actor shared insights into his return during a fan convention, Comic Con Midlands, held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, over the weekend of July 11-12.

Appearing alongside Cote de Pablo, who plays Ziva David, Weatherly addressed fan concerns about how his character's return would integrate with the events of the recently canceled Paramount+ spinoff, *NCIS: Tony & Ziva*.

Weatherly assured fans that the connection between Tony and Ziva, as depicted in the spinoff, will remain intact.

"There is a definite connection between [Tony & Ziva] and the canon that that created within — there’s not going to be retconning of like, oh, Tony & Ziva never happened," he stated.

This commitment to the spinoff's narrative is significant for fans who followed the characters' reunion and journey across Europe, which culminated in them living as a family with their daughter, Tali.

Filming for Weatherly's return is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, July 14.

While he expressed excitement about the upcoming season, he remained tight-lipped about specific plot details.

He did, however, allude to a return to the original show's formula, emphasizing the crime, investigation, and interpersonal dynamics that defined *NCIS*.

Weatherly acknowledged the show's evolution since his departure, stating, "I have really enjoyed watching what the show has done over the last 10 years since I left, but it’s a different show now." He added that he aims to respect the current iteration of *NCIS* while ensuring that the legacy of his character can coexist within it.

The announcement of his return was made on July 1, though details beyond a season-long arc remain scarce, including whether Cote de Pablo will also make an appearance.