Don’t do this to Us! Michael Weatherly, who is leaving NCIS after 13 seasons, is teasing his character’s fate — and it doesn’t look good. The actor played coy in a new interview when asked if Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo gets killed off.
“Part of him dies. I do know that there is death. Sudden death,” Weatherly, 47, teased to Extra on Wednesday, May 4. “I wrote down a long series of ideas and feelings and everything [last summer] and I realized, ‘Oh, DiNozzo has to go. Time for him to graduate.'”
Weatherly didn’t reveal whether DiNozzo is the one in harm’s way, but he did drop a hint to viewers. “I hope that everybody out in fanland understands that this was the natural way for DiNozzo to leave,” he added. “DiNozzo leaves NCIS the same way he came, which is my cryptic little puzzle message to the fans.”
CBS announced in January that Weatherly would be leaving the series. “He is a valued part of the CBS family, and the immense charm and talent he brings to the screen as ‘Very’ Special Agent Tony DiNozzo has helped make NCIS what it is today — the No. 1 drama in the world,” the network said in a statement at the time. “We thank Michael for all of his contributions to this successful franchise and look forward to continuing to develop projects with him as part of our ongoing development deal.”
Weatherly also opened up about his exit during an interview with Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday. “The character had to leave at some point,” he said. “I should’ve left years ago, but I was having so much fun I overstayed my welcome horribly — like that guest who won’t leave and keeps digging into your fridge.”
NCIS‘ season 13 finale airs on CBS on Tuesday, May 17, at 8 p.m. ET.
