"NCIS" fans be warned; Michael Weatherly's series' exit as Agent Tony DiNozzo is being billed as an "emotional roller coaster."

After 13 seasons on TV's most watched drama the May 17 season finale will be Weatherly's last on the show he has starred on since its inception.

Reports are the "Family First" entitled episode will revolve a recently launched manhunt for a rogue MI-6 black sheep who has been targeting fellow agents.

DiNozzo Finds Himself at a Crossroads

"Tony will need to make some difficult decision in the finale," series show-runner Gary Glasberg recently revealed, adding "he's going to find himself at a bit of a crossroads, with some significant issues to deal with."

A Who's Who list of guest starring cast members are expected to be on hand for DiNozzo's swan song, including Robert Wagner as Tony DiNozzo Sr.

"People should absolutely be planning on some really serious, heart-wrenching moments," Glasberg added. "There'll be tissues involved. I'm very proud of the emotional resonance of what this is, even in terms of what we're filming right now in the finale."

Show creators previously announced that Sarah Clarke and Duane Henry will be joining the cast as crew members, begging the question of if Weatherly's exit might not be the only one fans can expect to close the season.

"I really wouldn't read into that," said Glasberg of the uneven math in terms of cast changes. "These are two actors and two characters that we were intrigued by and interested in working with, and we'll have to see where it goes. But no, it wasn't about subtracting in one pool and adding to another."

Will DiNozzo be Killed off?

As for the burning question of if DiNozzo could be killed off, Glasberg only allowed that he will remain "prominent" throughout the episode, adding: "I want people to understand that Tony DiNozzo will always be a part of this family - but they should also prepare for an emotional roller coaster."

A recent TV Line poll found that 28 percent of fans prefer seeing DiNozzo ride off into the sunset with Cote de Pablo's former Agent Ziva David character, compared to 22 percent who want to see him leave D.C. to head up his own NCIS team in another location.

Related