NCIS star leaves show after 13 seasons

Los Angeles— NCIS star Michael Weatherly says he's leaving the long-running CBS drama.

Weatherly, who plays Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, has been with NCIS since it debuted in 2003.

In postings on his Twitter account on Tuesday, Weatherly thanked the show's fans worldwide and said NCIS was a "fantastic ride." He called DiNozzo a wonderful character, one who was fun to play.

DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character & I couldn't have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons pic.twitter.com/GR7YSsmsKJ

— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) January 5, 2016

Les Moonves & CBS gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/eqF5y6GSNw

— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) January 5, 2016

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!

— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) January 5, 2016

In a statement, CBS said Weatherly will leave NCIS at the end of this season. The network said it looked forward to working with Weatherly as part of its ongoing development deal with him.

Mark Harmon stars in the top-rated drama about Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents in Washington. The show is part of a popular franchise for CBS, with other NCIS series set in Los Angeles and New Orleans.