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Executive producer Phil McGraw puts his fingers in the ears of cast member Michael Weatherly during a panel for the television series "Bull" during the TCA CBS Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, California U.S., August 10, 2016. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

“NCIS” season 14 observed a few new characters but nothing could replace Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). Fans still miss Weatherly on the show and so does the actor.

Weatherly recently opened up about quitting the show and revealed what he misses the most from the show. “I miss the people and smiles, the laughter,” he told TV Line. On being asked if he regrets the decision to quit the show, Weatherly said, “It was a full circle and I felt ready to move on, and that has definitely been the case. I have no remorse or misgivings about what went down.”

Many have blamed Weatherly’s exit from “NCIS” season 14 as one of the reasons why the show's ratings dropped drastically. It was speculated that the 48-year-old will return to the show but after the rumours of Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs) quitting the show went abuzz, he reportedly changed his plans. As he said, he missed the camaraderie and if at all he was coming back, he was coming back for that.

Meanwhile, Weatherly can be seen in the next episode of “Bull” season 1, which airs on Jan.3 on CBS at 9PM EST in the US. (It is uncertain if the show will air in Australia). The actor essays the role of Dr Bull in the comedy drama series. He compared the two characters and said that Bull is more “cryptic,” “watchful” and “reactive” than DiNozzo and that is why DiNozzo couldn't make that turn for him.

“DiNozzo is all about that irrepressible teenage energy, the overgrown teenager. I’m now much more satisfied playing the guy who’s got some grey going on in the hair and [who’s] hopefully a little more mysterious,” he earlier told TV Guide.

“NCIS” season 14 episode 11 will air on Jan.3 on SBS in the US. It also airs on Channel Ten in Australia.