At the 2025 San Diego Comic Con panel for the upcomingNCISspinoffNCIS: Tony & Ziva, series star Cote de Pablo almost let something slip to the audience, making us even more excited to see what’s in store for the show.ScreenRant’sRachel Foertsch was in attendance fortheTony & Zivapanel, which was moderated byNCISstar Brian Dietzen.
During the panel, the cast, which includes fellowNCISalum Michael Weatherly, was asked about any Easter eggs from the flagship series appearing in the new show.De Pablo’s response indicates Easter eggs are a certainty – and almost gave away more. The Ziva actor revealed:
There are a couple of shoutouts in the middle of scenes throughout the first season. We’ll be in the middle of a situation—
That was all she was able to tell the audience, though. De Pablo was warned in teasing fashion about giving away spoilers before going any further, and she quickly became tight-lipped as the panel moved on to the next topic.
What This Means For NCIS: Tony & Ziva
The Series Is Still Tied To NCIS
Even though de Pablo was warned about spoilers so quickly before getting any specifics out in her answer, it’s confirmed that Easter eggs in the show are inevitable. It makes sense thatNCIS: Tony & Zivawould want to maintain its ties to the flagship series through those nods to the original.
NCIShas been running successfully on CBS for more than two decades and has outlasted all of its previous spinoffs. New spinoffNCIS: Sydneyalso currently airs on CBS as does the prequelNCIS: Origins, but neither are as well established. Connecting to it can only be a boost for the upcoming spinoff, which will stream on Paramount+.
Tony (Weatherly) was an NCIS agent for over a decade, and Ziva (de Pablo) for nearly a decade herself. It would be impossible for the show not to reference its ties to the agency, even thoughaudiences can watchNCIS: Tony & Zivawithout having watched the flagship showin order to enjoy the spinoff.
De Pablo’s response and the warning of “spoilers” being issued so quickly, however, seem to indicate more than simply a mention of a familiar character or the events of an episode from a decade earlier. Confirmation of a character’s name mentioned,or Gibbs' rules inNCIS, is not enough to warrant de Pablo having to keep quiet.
Our Take On Cote de Pablo’s Answer
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Is Hiding Something Big
We do live in an era in which leaks from sets and spoilers abound on social media. It’s entirely possible that those involved withNCIS: Tony & Zivasimply want to preserve the fan experience before the show lands on streaming. It does, however, seem that the show is hiding something bigger.
NCIS: Tony & Zivawill premiere on Paramount+ on July 04, 2025.
There has been speculation since theNCISspinoff was announced that the show could cross over with the flagship series at some point. Many fans are even hopeful about Tony and Ziva popping back up onNCIS. Because the show will stream instead of airing on CBS, however, there has been doubt that the crossover would be possible.
TheLaw & Orderfranchise has already proven that crossovers between streaming platforms and network television are not impossible, though.Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which airs on NBC, andLaw & Order: Organized Crime, which streams on Peacock, allowed characters to move between the shows.
That crossover helps to make the universe feel full, though someone who does not have live TV would not necessarily have to watchSVUto keep up withOrganized Crime. It appears thatNCIS: Tony & Zivacould be heading down a similar road.
With de Pablo being warned about potential spoilers as the result of something as simple as talking about an Easter egg, a crossover betweenNCISandNCIS: Tony & Zivaseems even more likely to be in the cards than ever.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva
Cast
NCIS: Tony & Ziva follows former NCIS agents Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they navigate danger across Europe. When Tony’s security company is attacked, the pair must uncover their pursuers and rekindle their trust to secure a future together. Set to be released in 2025, the series ties together personal and professional intrigue.
