NCIS Season 24's Major Absence Is Getting Even More Noticeable

Published Oct 17, 2026, 10:15 AM EDT

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With NCIS venturing into a new season with familiar faces returning to the long-running CBS series, the show's most noticeable absence is growing sharper with each passing week. With Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) returning to NCIS season 24 for the first time in a real capacity since the show's 13th season, the characters who haven't been back to visit the MCRT in some way have been more top of mind than ever. While Tony is returning to the series in a different capacity, currently serving as the NCIS director, others have come back to the MCRT in the past in other roles.

Most recently, Emily Wickersham returned to NCIS during the previous season as Ellie Bishop after years away and an undercover operation gone awry. Prior to that, viewers got the chance to catch up with Tony and his ever-complicated partner Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) during the tragically short-lived NCIS' Paramount+ streaming spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Ziva's last appearance within the franchise prior to the spinoff had been a stint in NCIS season 17, which brought her character out of hiding and back into the fold with Tony and their daughter, Tali. Other NCIS characters have left without revisiting the franchise, but their tethers back to it aren't as strong.

While viewers knew that Tony was returning to NCIS this season, it wasn't clear what kind of baggage he'd bring from his relationship with Ziva, or their shared life in Paris. Though there have been details peppered throughout the first episodes, Ziva's lack of presence in NCIS season 24 has been consistently more noticeable with each passing scene.

NCIS Season 24 May Not Feature Ziva David, But She's Still Present

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While Ziva was a core piece of the streaming spinoff that ultimately left her and Tony in a far more secure place in their relationship, when it was announced that Weatherly would be returning to the flagship series, de Pablo was confirmed not to be back alongside him. Ziva's lack of appearance on NCIS season 24 was quickly questioned by viewers who were concerned that the flagship series would try to retcon the story of the spinoff, erasing details of the hard-fought series that finally got Tony and Ziva together. Thankfully, NCIS nipped those worries in the bud quickly, keeping Ziva present without her presence.

Though Ziva isn't a physical part of NCIS season 24, the character has been referenced throughout the show's first episodes, and is expected to keep coming up as the season continues. Ziva's presence has been felt as Tony's come back to the MCRT, both with direct and indirect references to her as the episodes have continued. During NCIS season 24 episode 2, for example, Katrina Law's Knight makes it clear she's heard from Ziva and has been instructed to keep an eye on Tony's diet. While her presence has been clear, the fact that Ziva's around without being on-screen is tough.

NCIS Reminding Viewers Ziva Isn't On-Screen Doesn't Necessarily Help

CBS

Although there's been room for Tony's comeback, the return of Tony and Ziva together may have been a lot for NCIS to accommodate at this phase of the show's life. Regardless, it's been more difficult to comprehend the fact that after the events of NCIS: Tony & Ziva that Tony is anywhere without Ziva and Tali, let alone back working with the larger MCRT. The fact that Tony has taken on the role of NCIS director is a stretch, and Ziva's decision to stay in Boston, working at a language school while Tali attends boarding school close by, feels tough to comprehend.

Even so, keeping Ziva in the loop of the show's narrative both makes sense and points to a larger NCIS issue. While viewers would likely have a tough time seeing Tony and not hearing about Ziva or Tali, the fact that characters have continued to shoe horn her into conversations has felt heavy-handed as the season has continued. Ziva's lack of on-screen presence was always going to be an issue for the series, especially with Tony returning in such a flashy, large capacity. Despite the intention being pure, continually mentioning Ziva only makes NCIS viewers miss her more.

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  Sean Murray

  Timothy McGee

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  Michael Weatherly

  Tony DiNozzo