"NCIS" fans are hoping Michael Weatherly's exit from the show at the end of this season will come with a new beginning for his character and that of former cast mate Cote de Pablo.

E! Online reports, while the jury remains out as to how Weatherly's Tony DiNozzo will exit, many longtime fans of the series are hoping de Pablo will return as Ziva to mark the occasion.

When recently quizzed as to whether there are any such plans on the horizon, CBS president Glenn Geller said no, but he left open a small possibility that all could change, as showrunners continue to work out the exact plot.

"They are working on how Michael's character is going to be written out," Geller said of the "NCIS"' creative team. "Gary [Glasberg] and the producers are working on that right now."

After starring on the show for all 13 seasons, Weatherly recently announced he will be moving on at the end of the current season.

CBS also confirmed Weatherly's exit in a statement to E! News, saying, "He is a valued part of the CBS family, and the immense charm and talent he brings to the screen as 'Very' Special Agent Tony DiNozzo has helped make 'NCIS' what it is today -- the No. 1 drama in the world."

Weatherly's departure leaves only Mark Harmon (Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs), Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) and David McCallum (Ducky Mallard) as the show's only remaining original cast members.

Though Weatherly is leaving the show, TVLine reports he will remain connected to the network, producing a number of new projects for CBS.

When she left the show, Dote de Pablo's character Agent Ziva resigned from the agency to return to her Israeli homeland.

"NCIS" airs on CBS Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET.

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