Michael Weatherly's announcement early this year about him leaving the hit drama "NCIS" after being a regular cast for over a decade has definitely shocked the fans of the show and in a recent interview, the actor who plays Special Agent Tony DiNozzo revealed the real reason why he is leaving and his former partner Cote de Pablo has something to do with it.
In an interview with TV Insider, Michael Weatherly said that after Cote de Pablo left "NCIS," he somehow realized the need to contemplate about staying or leaving.
Weatherly said, "Their [Tony DiNozzo and Cote de Pablo's Ziva] great dynamic, the bandinage and sparring and flirting between and how they would swing from siblings to near lovers and back to buddies, that was gone."
"And then I got to the point where I felt I'd stayed at the party for too long," Weatherly added. "I would look around the room and other people were really in sync and having fun. The show was a huge success, but I just suddenly realized that I probably had other things that I should be doing. And then the wanderlust set in. I directed a documentary. I have a production company. And I wanted to spend time with my family."
Weatherly also paid tribute to his role Tony DiNozzo saying that he learned a lot from the guy. He said that playing DiNozzo has made him do the "widest range of acting" he could imagine.
Meanwhile, the finale episode of "NCIS" Season 13 entitled "Family First" will be airing on May 17 and according to showrunner Gary Glasberg, fans will be up for an "emotional roller coaster."
"People should absolutely be planning on some really serious, heart-wrenching moments. There'll be tissues involved," Glasberg said.
"I want people to understand that Tony DiNozzo will always be part of this family-but they should also prepare for an emotional roller coaster," he added.
