NCIS Season 23 Officially Confirms Its New Tony & Ziva Replacement

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NCIS Season 23 has found a new romantic storyline in Episode 5, which is part of a special crossover event, to fill the void left by the relationship between Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David. The two-part episode, which aired around Veterans’ Day on November 11th, focuses on a case that has unfolded over three decades. The story begins in NCIS: Origins with an episode called “Funny How Time Slips Away,” and then continues in a subsequent NCIS episode titled “Now and Then.” The first part of the crossover also includes a guest appearance by Mark Harmon as Gibbs, revisiting one of his initial cases.

Harmon won’t be appearing in this special episode, but a former member of Gibbs’ original team will be, alongside a guest appearance by Roma Maffia. Vera Strickland has become an important character in the prequel series focusing on Gibbs, even though she hasn’t been seen on NCIS since she was first introduced in 2013. She originally appeared in Season 11, Episode 3 of NCIS, briefly taking Ziva David’s place on the MCRT. Now, after 12 years, she’s back in the episode “Now and Then,” with a reference to her past connection with Ziva.

Vera Strickland Calls Back To Tony DiNozzo & Ziva David In NCIS Season 23

The story starts in NCIS: Origins in the small California town of Serenity, where a cover-up is underway following the murder of Louis Burke. Locals believe Burke was responsible for the death of a popular resident, Dominick Wallace. Meanwhile, Thomas Mulligan is wrongly convicted of murder to protect his pregnant girlfriend, Lainey Sims. The action then moves to NCIS, where Vera shares crucial information with MCRT after the now-adult Mulligan escapes from prison, leaving clues that lead back to Vera’s home and pull Strickland into the investigation.

At first, Vera avoids answering questions from the MCRT team, but she quickly becomes involved in their investigation. Once inside NCIS headquarters, she manages to avoid being sidelined by Alden, quickly moving from reviewing files to taking calls right alongside Special Agents Parker and others in the Multiple Threat Action Center (MTAC). When she spots Jessica Knight and Nick Torres on the main video screen, Vera jokingly asks if they’re the new Tony and Ziva, and Strickland subtly confirms that they might be.

Vera knows Tony and Ziva, as she previously worked with them and their team during her guest appearance on NCIS Season 11. While she was at NCIS Headquarters to finalize her departure from the agency with Director Leon Vance, she unexpectedly got involved in a case. This happened when McGee misplaced his NCIS badge, leaving the team short an agent, a situation made worse by Ziva already being gone. Vera was part of the show during the time when these popular characters were central to the series.

Vera Confirms Nick Torres & Jessica Knight Are Replacing Tony & Ziva

Vera’s recent statement adds to the growing feeling among fans that a romantic connection might be developing between Nick and Jess. The show has hinted at feelings between them, though they currently describe their relationship as just a friendship. This potential romance could unfold slowly, much like the beloved love story between Tony and Ziva on NCIS. Though Tony and Ziva’s relationship had its ups and downs until Michael Weatherly left the show, their connection remains a fan favorite.

Although fans haven’t fully embraced a potential romance between Nick and Jess yet, things are starting to change. Vera’s quick comparison of them to Tony and Ziva is telling—it suggests she sees a similar dynamic. While she might simply be acknowledging they’ve filled the roles previously held by those characters, her comment hints at a deeper connection, echoing what many NCIS viewers have wondered for seasons: could Nick and Jess become a couple?

Vera’s remark makes it clear the show is intentionally drawing parallels between Nick and Jess’s relationship and the dynamic between former NCIS agents. The writers wouldn’t have had Vera mention Tony and Ziva if they didn’t want viewers to connect the new characters with the original ones. This suggests NCIS is hinting at a deeper connection or developing storyline for Parker’s agents, and wants viewers to start noticing.

What Will Happen With Knight & Torres’ Romance In NCIS Season 23?

Like Tony and Ziva before them, Knight and Torres haven’t openly admitted their feelings for each other, but they’ve definitely shared some intense, romantic moments. From the beginning, viewers could feel a strong connection between them, even though both characters were involved with other people. Instead of a direct confession, NCIS has hinted at a growing relationship. This is similar to what happened with Nick and Jess, who playfully pretended to be married and unexpectedly ended up making it official.

Fans might see a romance develop between Knight and Torres before the end of NCIS Season 23 if things continue as they are. Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Nick Torres, has hinted that viewers should pay close attention to his character’s storyline this season. This suggests that seemingly small moments, like Nick asking Jess to save the last dance in Season 23, Episode 3, could be more meaningful than they seem.

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2025-11-12 16:07