America’s most-watched procedural is losing one of its original cast member. Actor Michael Weatherly will be exiting NCIS after its current thirteenth season. The actor’s departure has been confirmed months after his DUI arrest in Novermber.
TMZ reported that Weatherly’s DUI case is now over. On Tuesday, the actor pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over .08. He was sentenced to three years probation and was required to take the Mothers Against Drunk Driving program (MADD). A 3-month alcohol program was also sanctioned.
He is required to complete everything until June.
Weatherly was charged on November after being caught speeding by the LAPD around 1AM in Hollywood. He was then charged by the LA City Attorney with two counts of DUI and was set to face six months of imprisonment if proven guilty.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed by CBS that Weatherly will be leaving NCIS after 13 years. He was one of the original cast members of the CBS crime procedural where he portrayed agent Tony DiNozzo. Entertainment Weekly reported the news.
Reps for the network has released a statement following the announcement, they said: “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”.
They thanked the actor for all his contributions to the series, while also looking forward to making more projects with Weatherly.
Weatherly, meanwhile, shared his feelings about his upcoming departure. “DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character & I couldn’t have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons,” he said via Twitter on Tuesday.
This news marks another departure of a fan favorite cast member from NCIS. In 2013, the series also bid goodbye to actress Cote De Pablo following the end of her contract.
