News
Michael Weatherly To Exit TV's Most-Watched Drama NCIS!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Soap fans remember Michael Weatherly in his younger leading man days as Cooper Alden on ABC’s Loving, which then morphed into The City, before being cancelled. It was there he met his first wife The Young and the Restless Amelia Heinle (Victoria), who played Steffi Brewster on the ABC soap. The two have a son together as well.
Weatherly over the past 13 years has become one of the beloved faces of primetime television in his role as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo on CBS’ bonafide smash hit NCIS. On Tuesday, reports surfaced that Weatherly is exiting the show after his long-running tenure and success.
CBS said in a statement: “After 13 years on NCIS, Michael Weatherly is leaving the show at the end of this season. 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. W e thank Michael for all of his contributions to this successful franchise and look forward to continuing to develop projects with him as part of our ongoing development deal.”
Meanwhile, Weatherly took to his Twitter account to say: “DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character & I couldn’t have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons. Les Moonves & CBS gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. I will miss the amazing crew & cast, who are like family to me, & to the fans all over the world – THANK YOU, it’s been a fantastic ride!”
All of this comes just four days after, Michael pleaded no contest to driving under the influence and was sentenced to a three-month alcohol and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving program. However, Michael will still be working with CBS in the future, he has a development deal with studio counterpart CBS Television Studios.
So, do you remember Michael as Cooper Alden on Loving? Do you watch him on NCIS? Suprised to hear he is departing the wildly-successful series? Comment below!
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Look who’s joining Justin Hartley’s hit freshman drama, Tracker! None other than another soap alum, former Days of our Lives and Supernatural favorite Jensen Ackles.
In a reveal via Hartley’s Instagram on Thursday, Ackles is set to play Hartley’s on-screen brother on the CBS procedural drama. In Tracker, Colter Shaw is estranged from his brother, Russell, which has been a big part of the mystery of season one.
Ackles is best known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a role he reprised in the prequel of the series The Winchesters. He also recently starred in ABC’s Big Sky as Sheriff Beau Arlen and in The Boys as Soldier Boy.
Photo: CBS
Jensen was the original Eric Brady on Days of our Lives, a role he played from 1997-2000, before departing for the world of primetime and film. Eric was in love with Nicole played by Arianne Zucker. The part of Eric was recast with Greg Vaughan taking over the role in 2012.
Photo: JPI
In his Instagram post, Justin thanked everyone for watching Tracker, and then revealed Ackles as the surprise casting announcement in the role of Russell, while Jensen was playing pinball in the video! No word yet on when Jensen’s first episode as Russell will air. Stay tuned.
Check out Justin’s casting post featuring Jensen Ackles below. So, what do you think of Justin and Jensen playing brothers on Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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General Hospital
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.
Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?
As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.
Photo: Fox
Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”
Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”
Photo: Fox
The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.
As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
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The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
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Perhaps Days will bring him in..
Days has a hot recorded for bringing in new players.
yah never know.lol
cool can’t afford him what planet do u live in?
I wasn’t much of a “Loving” fan, but I certainly miss the days when there were that many daytime soaps to watch! I can see where Michael would be ready to take on another character. It’s hard for actors to play the same character year after year and maintain other ranges in their acting abilities. I do think it would be funny/cool if he did a 1 or 2 episode cameo on GH. Wouldn’t be the first time they revisted “Loving.”
You’ll be missed on NCIS but I will follow you on whatever show you land on! Kinda hope it is a comedy as that seems to be your strong suit!
Have liked Michael since his ‘Dark Angel’ days with Jessica Alba. And he has certainly played a big part as Anthony DiNozzo in the success of NCIS (one of my favorite shows). But 13 years on the same show is a long time. Maybe he just feels he wants a change…especially since Ziva isn’t there anymore. The show seemed to lose it’s luster for me when she left…and I think for his DiNozzo character. He’ll be hard to replace.
I was taping NCIS for a friend who lives in another country, and I got hooked into TIVA. When she left, I quit watching it, and my friend lost interest too. For most women viewers, we’ve gotta have some romance! I am hoping against hope that Cote de Pablo will make a guest appearance to usher Michael out.
I think I might have kept watching if Tony had made any references at all to keeping in touch with Ziva, pining for her, but no, just like a soap, he moved on. That is not what we ladies wanted to see.
I was writing a reply and my computer decided to update and boom, I only left part of a reply. In any case, the new girl seems to need coddling. Ziva could take care of everyone, and I really miss that.
I’m going to miss Michael on NCIS.
Wow. That’s a surprise. He’s So Great on #NCIS. MY HUBBY loves this Show. Never misses it. How will He be written out. That will be interesting. Big void when His character leaves
Bring him to Bold and Beautiful for Brooke!!!
Michael Weatherly is too good for that washed up blonde.
Could t agree with you more.
he is the main reason I watch NCIS and especially Robert Wagner’s appearances. He will be missed and I will probably move on from NCIS.
I’m surprised he’s leaving.
I’ve watched NCIS from the premiere episode to last night’s. Michael’s infusion of his own charm into Tony’s persona has made Agent DiNozzo more bearable, because Tony has so often been a louse and a bully when it came to his colleagues. Tony has called Tim every McName in the book and belittled him at every opportunity. However, I think it will be a huge loss to the show when Michael exits.
I wish him the very best in his new pursuits, and look forward to seeing him in future primetime CBS shows. He’s definitely a keeper!
Of course I remember him from LOVING! I had a huge crush on him. I read an interview back then wherein he stated he loved Elvis Costello’s music. So I bought a CD. He was right. He is good.
Michael Weatherly is that rare talent that can do BOTH comedy and drama especially well. He will be just fine without NCIS.
I would love to watch him on Y&R as the new Billy. And send Jason Thompson back to GH as Patrick . So he can stay and Emma can stay. Because If Michael Weatherly plays billy he can be reunited with his real life wife. Its a major win-win. Its the perfect solution. He could play the perfect Billy and paired up with Amelia.
Um, I doubt he would go back to daytime, and he and Amelia have a child together but have been divorced for many years now.
Isn’t Amelia married to the guy who played her Y & R husband J.T.? I didn’t know she was married before
Yes, She is married to the actor that played J.T., but back when her and Michael were on Loving they were married and had a child. Many years ago, and it was only for a couple of years.
Weatherly married his Loving/The City co-star Amelia Heinle in February 1995.[1] Heinle has one son with Weatherly.[1] The couple divorced in 1997.[1]
Billy Miller, Billy Miller, Billy Miller !!! ex-Billy Abbott character on Young & Restless – he is perfect for this role – grab him!!!
Also, I would like to see Billy Miller back on Y & R. He was the best Billyt Abbott EVER!