'NCIS' Season 13 Spoilers: Michael Weatherly leaving CBS drama after 13 seasons

CBS has announced that Michael Weatherly, who plays the popular character Special Agent Tony DiNozzo on “NCIS,” is set to exit the show at the end of the season.

Spoiler alert: This update contains more "NCIS" Season 13 spoilers. Read on at your own risk if you have not watched the latest episodes.

Weatherly, 48, could appear in other CBS shows. The network said it looks forward to developing projects with him as part of their ongoing development deal.

In a statement, CBS has confirmed the news that Weatherly will make his final appearance as Tony DiNozzo after 13 years on the show. The network also thanked for his contributions to the successful franchise.

“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,” CBS said, according to TVLine.

Weatherly tweeted goodbye messages, thanking CBS and his fans. “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!” he wrote.

Michael Weatherly on Twitter

John Cryer, who guest starred in some “NCIS” episodes as Dr. Cyril Taft, expressed his disbelief on Weatherly’s post. “Glad I got in under the wire. Hope we get to have some fun on the next one!” Cryer commented.

In another tweet, Weatherly wrote, “DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character and I couldn’t have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons.” He also gave credit to CBS Corp. CEO Les Moonves for giving him the opportunity of a lifetime.

Michael Weatherly on Twitter

Michael Weatherly on Twitter

Weatherly’s plans to leave the show was first revealed on Monday by David McCallum, who plays Ducky in “NCIS.” In an interview with the UK’s Vulture Hound magazine, McCallum said, “DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, we’ve told people a long time ago, is leaving at the end of the season. So the writers have to decide what to do when one of the four members of the original cast leaves.”

Fans of Tony and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) are hoping to see their 'Tiva' reunite before Weatherly leaves "NCIS." They have been using the social media sites to call for some "closure" since Ziva left in "NCIS" Season 10. Cote herself has said in media interviews that she would like for her character Ziva to have some closure, as well.

The four original cast members include McCallum, Weatherly, Mark Harmon (Gibbs) and Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciutto).

Prior to joining the hit TV show “NCIS,” Weatherly starred as Logan Cale in James Cameron’s “Dark Angel” which ran from 2000 to 2002, as well as Coopera Alden in “Loving” from 1992 to 1995.

In the fall finale episode of "NCIS" Season 13, DiNozzo and the rest of Gibbs' team helped Ducky to reunite with his long lost brother. The latest episode also tackles the married life of Emily Wickersham's Ellie Bishop, who has decided her marriage with Jamie Bamber's Jake is over.