The much-anticipated Paramount+ spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva instantly captured the hearts of longtime fans by reuniting one of television’s most beloved pairs—Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David—in an exciting new international setting. While the series delivers plenty of emotional depth and character-driven humor, it’s the pilot’s adrenaline-pumping car chase that truly grabbed viewers’ attention. But did you know that sequence wasn’t even in the original script?
John McNamara, the show’s creator, recently revealed that the dramatic car chase was a last-minute addition, filmed after production had initially wrapped. Initially, the scene only involved Tony recounting the intense chase during a conversation—something McNamara quickly recognized as a storytelling misstep. “You don’t tell, you show,” he explained. Thanks to the resources at his disposal, the team was able to bring this thrilling set piece to life, transforming the pilot into a visually spectacular introduction.
Executing such a complex stunt was no small feat. The chase employed 40 precision stunt drivers and 120 stunt performers sourced from across Europe, underscoring the scale and ambition behind this revival. This action-packed sequence sets a high-stakes tone from the very beginning, effectively signaling that NCIS: Tony & Ziva is venturing beyond procedural norms into a sprawling international crime thriller with a distinctly NCIS flavor.
The spinoff delves deep into Tony and Ziva’s lives years after their last onscreen appearance. Now living in Paris and co-parenting their daughter, the duo are no longer a couple, opening new emotional territory to explore. McNamara emphasized the importance of portraying these characters as mature adults still grappling with unresolved feelings. This setup—two former lovers forced back together by circumstance—provides fertile ground for both tension and humor, hallmarks of the original series.
This passion project was years in the making, with both Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) eager to revisit their chemistry only when the right story came along. Their collaboration with McNamara—and even a pivotal Zoom conversation—helped crystallize the show’s vision. De Pablo’s creative input was particularly notable; she pitched the intriguing opening scene where Tony and Ziva appear dressed for a wedding—but with a twist that it might actually be part of a covert mission. McNamara fondly recalls the writing team grappling with explaining this enigmatic and evocative teaser.
By combining intense action, heartfelt character moments, and a fresh international backdrop, NCIS: Tony & Ziva aims to satisfy original fans while enticing newcomers. Thanks to last-minute creative decisions like the spectacular car chase, the series kicks off with both style and substance, setting the stage for a unique addition to the NCIS universe.
New episodes of NCIS: Tony & Ziva are available Thursdays on Paramount+. For fans eager to see how Tony and Ziva navigate their complicated past alongside new adventures, the ride is just getting started.
