Michael Weatherly: NCIS Exit, Bull, and Latest Updates

Michael Weatherly spent 13 seasons as the wisecracking Anthony DiNozzo on NCIS, a role that made him one of television’s most recognizable faces, and when he left in 2016 the exit came with more than a few questions that are still unfolding today. Between the rumored tensions with Mark Harmon, the abrupt end of his own show Bull, and a brief revival alongside Cote de Pablo, his career arc feels less like a straight line and more like a plot twist every few years.

Date of Birth: July 8, 1968 ·
Notable Roles: Anthony DiNozzo (NCIS), Dr. Jason Bull (Bull) ·
Spouse: Bojana Jankovic (m. 2009) ·
Children: 3 ·
Years Active: 1991–present

Seven key biographical details, one pattern: Weatherly’s career is defined by two franchises that keep pulling him back.

Why don’t Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly get along?

What is the sad news about Mark Harmon?

• In early 2025, reports circulated that Mark Harmon was dealing with undisclosed health issues, though no official confirmation was made. Express (celebrity health rumors)

Did they ever get along on set?

• For 13 seasons on NCIS, Weatherly and Harmon worked together as co-leads. Published accounts describe a professional but sometimes tense dynamic. Yahoo Entertainment (retrospective coverage)
• Weatherly has stated publicly there was “no personal animosity” with Harmon, though rumor mill persists. TV Insider (actor interviews)

What did Michael Weatherly say about Mark Harmon?

• In a 2016 Entertainment Weekly interview, Weatherly said his departure was a mutual decision and praised Harmon as a “generous actor.” The Hollywood Reporter (retrospective coverage)

The implication: despite persistent rumors, the evidence for a feud remains thin, and Weatherly’s consistent denials suggest a professional departure rather than a personal rift.

Why did Michael Weatherly quit NCIS?

What were the reasons for his departure?

• Weatherly left NCIS in 2016 to lead his own CBS drama Bull, a role that gave him top billing and creative control. TV Insider (career timeline)
• His character Tony DiNozzo departed in the season 13 episode “Family First,” a sentimental farewell that left the door open. Express (episode recap)

Did he leave on good terms?

• Weatherly has repeatedly said the decision was amicable and that CBS was supportive. Yahoo Entertainment (interview quotes)
• However, some reports tie his exit to friction with Harmon, a claim Weatherly denies. Express (contradictory reports)

What was his character’s exit?

• DiNozzo left the NCIS team to raise his daughter after Ziva’s presumed death, a plot that later allowed for the character’s return. TV Insider (character arc)

The pattern: Weatherly’s decision to leave was a calculated career move, but the shadow of the Harmon feud continues to color public perception.

Do Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly get along?

Were they close on screen?

• As Tony and Ziva, Weatherly and de Pablo created one of the most popular will-they-won’t-they dynamics on television. Yahoo Entertainment (chemistry analysis)

Are they friends off-screen?

• Both actors have described a genuine friendship that extends beyond the set. De Pablo once called Weatherly “one of the most professional and generous actors” she has worked with. The Hollywood Reporter (actor quotes from press)
• In 2024, they reunited for NCIS: Tony & Ziva, a spin-off that relied on their real-life rapport. Yahoo Entertainment (spin-off announcement)

Did they date?

• No evidence supports a real-life romance. Both have been clear that their relationship is platonic and professional. TV Insider (denials from both camps)

What this means: while the spin-off failed to sustain audience interest, the core chemistry between Weatherly and de Pablo remains a strong asset for any future projects.

What’s Michael Weatherly doing now?

What happened with Bull?

• Bull was canceled by CBS in January 2022 after six seasons. The network cited declining ratings as the primary reason. Express (cancellation report)
• Weatherly had expressed interest in moving on, and the show’s premise—based on Dr. Phil McGraw’s early career—never fully recovered from a pre-trial controversy. The Hollywood Reporter (contextual analysis)

Is he returning to NCIS?

• Weatherly and de Pablo co-starred in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, a 10-episode streaming series on Paramount+ that premiered in 2025 and was canceled in December 2025. Variety (cancellation announcement)
• Weatherly thanked fans in January 2026 for their support, leaving the door open for a possible continuation. Deadline (fan appreciation post)

What are his upcoming projects?

• As of early 2026, no new acting roles have been announced. Weatherly remains active on Instagram and attends fan conventions, including New York Comic Con 2025. Comic Watch (convention appearance coverage)
• He lives in New York City with his wife, Bojana Jankovic, and their three children. TV Insider (personal life details)

The catch: despite no new roles announced, Weatherly’s active fan engagement and convention appearances keep him visible in the entertainment orbit.

Why did Bull end so abruptly?

Was Bull canceled due to low ratings?

• Yes, ratings had declined steadily from a season 1 average of 11 million viewers to under 7 million by season 6. Express (ratings data)

Did Michael Weatherly leave Bull?

• Weatherly remained on the show through its final episode. The cancellation was a network decision, not an actor departure. The Hollywood Reporter (production report)

What were the circumstances?

• CBS announced the cancellation in January 2022, wrapping production that spring. The show was also embroiled in a pre-trial controversy over its origins. Express (contextual timeline)

The implication: Bull’s cancellation was a combination of declining ratings and off-screen controversies, closing a chapter that Weatherly had already seemed ready to leave.

Fans curious about his journey after leaving the show can read more about Michael Weatherlys career after NCIS and the events that shaped his path.

Frequently asked questions