Michael Weatherly has shared a touching story about a personal moment he experienced with his NCIS: Tony and Ziva co-star during filming.

The much-anticipated spin-off, NCIS: Tony and Ziva, has been years in the making and now finally, fans of the CBS drama are getting their wish, over a decade after characters Tony DiNozzo (portrayed by Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) went their separate ways.

The Paramount+ series will depict Tony and Ziva living in Paris, co-parenting their daughter Tali (Isla Gie). Despite not being a couple, there’s an undeniable spark between them.

However, during a chat with TV Insider, it became apparent that the bond between the actors extends beyond the screen, as Weatherly opened up about a deeply personal experience.

He began by revealing that his father passed away during filming, leading to him staying awake all night on that particular Thursday.

ncis tony ziva paramount plus

Michael Weatherly shares intimate moment with Cote de Pablo as he suffered tragic loss off-screen (Image: PARAMOUNT )

NCIS Tony and Ziva paramount plus

NCIS Tony and Ziva stars Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo and Isla Gie as their daughter Tali. (Image: PARAMOUNT PLUS)

Weatherly said: “It’s 8 o’clock in the morning. I’ve slept two hours.

“I might’ve had a very big bottle of wine the night before.

“Cote came over and gave me a big hug when she found out the night before. I felt very taken care of.”

Adding her perspective, de Pablo said: “He [Weatherly] wasn’t with family. He was abroad.y

“And all of a sudden, he just gets a phone call. So, what do you do?”.

“You don’t have your wife, your kids, no sister, nothing.”

Actor Michael Weatherly dad manning weatherly snr

Actor Michael Weatherly’s dad Manning Weatherly Snr died while the star was filming NCIS Tony and Ziva. (Image: MICHAEL WEATHERLY/X)

Weatherly’s father, Manning Weatherly Snr, who was a former Second Lieutenant in the US Army and later became the leading US importer of the Swiss Army Knife in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away in August 2024.

Taking to X, the actor shared a throwback photo of himself with his dad, writing:

“My father Michael Manning Weatherly passed away last Thursday and he leaves behind many loved ones who will miss him.

“A great friend to me in my adult years, Dad led a life of adventure and great humor.

“He brought the Swiss Army Knife to huge success in the 70s and 80s along with my mom.

“If you ever used one, I know he’d thank you.”