NCIS: Tony & Ziva is making a bold decision about its timeline, and the series may need to use a controversial VFX tool to tell its story properly. The series dives back into the lives of Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo's Tony and Ziva characters, star-crossed lovers on the original NCIS series who never got together while both actors were on the cast of NCIS. The spinoff will stream exclusively on Paramount+ and tell the story of what's happening in Tony and Ziva's lives, including an attack on Tony's security firm.
Both actors left the series about a decade ago. In season 11, de Pablo departed NCIS, and Weatherly followed a few years later in season 13. Tony exited after Ziva faked her death, which left him to raise a child he didn't know he had. De Pablo returned to the series a few years after Weatherly's exit, revealing her character had been in hiding and was alive. When she departed again, she went to join her family in Paris. So much has happened since then, and the NCIS: Tony & Ziva story will effectively fill in the gaps.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva's Story Will Start A Decade Earlier
The Agents Will Pick Up Where They Left Off
NCIS confirmed Tony and Ziva's spinoff timeline in a report from Deadline, revealing the series will pick up a decade ago. De Pablo commented on the development during the show's MIPCOM panel. She said: "In the first season, [fans are] going to get a fix of what happened." Picking up 10 years ago benefits all audiences of the series, whether they are acquainted with the original NCIS or not. If viewers are new to the series, the background will add context to Tony and Ziva's present-day story. The timeline is even more exciting if viewers know the NCIS characters.
For those caught up with Tony and Ziva's romance, the scenes from 10 years ago will finally show the romance on-screen. While Tiva had a will they/won't they relationship for nearly a decade of NCIS,viewers never saw what it was like for the agents once they got together. The reunion was undoubtedly heartfelt, albeit complicated, since Tony was raising their daughter Tali when Ziva joined them. Tony and Ziva had to learn to be a family, while the pair also adjusted to being an official couple. Still, going back in time will have some hurdles.
Due To Its Timeline, NCIS: Tony & Ziva May Have To Use De-Aging VFX
Michael Weatherly And Cote De Pablo Need To Look 10 Years Younger
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
The agents looked younger 10 years ago. To maintain consistency, one option is to use visual effects in editing to make the actors' faces look less aged, but that could be controversial since it would alter their natural appearances. Still, NCIS: Tony & Ziva needs to sell its timeline and can't just cast actors to play young Tony and Ziva because audiences witnessed their earlier years. Since the flashback scenes span 10 years up to the present, the series could maintain Tiva's current appearance instead, utilizing filming techniques and makeup to rewind the clock while keeping the actors' authentic appearance.
Source: Deadline
