Joe Spano returns to the NCIS cast as Tobias Fornell for the Season 16 finale. The character’s name came up at the end of the latest episode, called Lost Time, teasing his return.
Following a really emotional episode for Gibbs (Mark Harmon), he attempted to open up to the NCIS team in the final moments. Suddenly, Vance (Rocky Carroll) came from upstairs and told Gibbs he needed to get to the hospital fast, stating that, “it’s Fornell.”
The credits ran, but long-time fans of the show will recognize Fornell as one of Gibbs’ oldest friends. It also sets up what will take place in the NCIS season finale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opdP0XdEPKg&t=14s
Who is Fornell on the NCIS cast?
The tease about Tobias Fornell returning to the NCIS cast doesn’t give the full picture of what is going to happen during the season finale. CBS has advertised that it is Fornell’s daughter that is in jeopardy and not the former FBI agent.
Tobias Fornell worked for the FBI when NCIS started and married Diane Sterling, who was the ex-wife of NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Diane and Tobias had a daughter named Emily Fornell, who will be a focal point of the new episode.
Tobias and Diane were divorced, and later, Diane would be murdered by Sergei Mishnev on the show. The part of Diane Sterling was played by actress Heather Scobie at first, but it was later taken over by Melinda McGraw.
See you next week for the Season Finale of #NCIS!! pic.twitter.com/ASkI4BFfwp
— NCIS (@NCIS_CBS) May 15, 2019
The NCIS cast is going to be packed with familiar faces when Melinda McGraw and Joe Spano show up for the season finale. From the NCIS preview for Season 16, episode 24, it seems like Gibbs is going to see Diane through visions.
Juliette Angelo will also be a part of the NCIS cast as Emily Fornell, with her father (Tobias Fornell) trying to help save her life.
Sean Murray (McGee), Emily Wickersham (Bishop), Wilmer Valderrama (Torres), Maria Bello (Sloane), Brian Dietzen (Palmer), Diona Reasonover (Kasie), Rocky Carroll (Vance), and David McCallum (Ducky) will also appear as part of the NCIS cast to close out Season 16.
NCIS airs Tuesday nights at 8/7c on CBS.
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