The NCIS spinoff Tony & Ziva nearly wrapped up on a much darker note – but creator John McNamara decided to give fans a moment of peace instead.
The Paramount+ series reunited Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo as Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David in a high-stakes adventure filled with AI conspiracies, car chases, and emotional reunions. In the finale, “Full Circle,” Tony and Ziva’s mission to rescue their daughter Tali (Isla Gie) ended not only in triumph but also in renewed love. The episode closed with the couple quietly embracing in their Paris apartment – a rare moment of calm after weeks of chaos.
McNamara revealed to TheWrap that an alternate “very dark” ending was filmed but ultimately cut. “The final moment we went with is a credit to Cote and Michael,” he said. “Once I saw their performance, I knew – that’s the ending.”
While fans have praised the emotional conclusion, the show’s future remains uncertain. Despite strong streaming numbers – debuting at No. 8 on Nielsen’s originals chart in early September with 371 million viewing minutes – Paramount+ has not yet confirmed a Season 2.
Still, McNamara and co-writer Joseph Mireles left plenty of threads for another chapter: the mysterious death of villain Jonah, secrets held by spy Martine, and new dynamics within Tony’s security firm.
Whether or not the story continues, McNamara said he’s grateful for the journey. “The main feeling is relief, honestly,” he admitted. “Seeing how fans embraced Tony and Ziva again makes it all worth it.”
