When fans talk about NCIS, names like Gibbs, Abby, or McGee often dominate the conversation. But for those who’ve stuck with the show through its many twists and cast changes, one character has gradually emerged as the quiet emotional backbone of the series: Jimmy Palmer.
Played by Brian Dietzen, Jimmy began his journey as a bumbling assistant to the eccentric Dr. Ducky Mallard (David McCallum). He fumbled with scalpels, stammered through autopsy reports, and was often the punchline of jokes — but that nervous energy masked something rare in procedural television: a truly kind soul.
The Reluctant Star Who Stayed the Course
Jimmy Palmer wasn’t supposed to be a main character. In fact, Dietzen was originally hired for just a few episodes in Season 1. But over time, fans grew attached to Jimmy’s earnest nature, his awkward charm, and his unwavering loyalty to the team.
Producers took notice. By Season 10, Jimmy was no longer just “Ducky’s assistant” — he was family. As older characters exited and the team dynamic shifted, Jimmy remained. Not because he was the most dramatic or action-packed member of NCIS, but because he brought something else: stability, empathy, and humanity.
In a series full of gunfights, betrayals, and international conspiracies, Jimmy was the guy who remembered birthdays, who brought homemade cookies, who comforted victims’ families with genuine care. He was the man who quietly made sure everyone else was okay — even when he wasn’t.
Personal Loss, Professional Growth
One of the show’s most poignant decisions came in Season 18, when Jimmy’s wife, Breena, died offscreen from COVID-19 complications. Rather than use the loss as a passing detail, NCIS gave Dietzen the space to explore grief with remarkable tenderness.
In a standout episode titled “The First Day”, Jimmy struggles to maintain his cheerful facade while privately falling apart. It’s an emotional gut punch — and a reminder of the show’s willingness to pause the action and spotlight emotional depth.
“I wanted to honor those who’ve lost loved ones during the pandemic,” Dietzen said in interviews. “And also show that grief doesn’t have a timetable.”
The audience responded. For many, this was the moment Jimmy Palmer stopped being comic relief and became something greater: a mirror to the audience’s own pain and perseverance.
The Unlikely Leader
As of the most recent seasons, Jimmy’s role has evolved even further. With Ducky now gone following David McCallum’s death, Palmer stands as the chief medical examiner, leading autopsies with quiet confidence. He mentors the next generation, offering wisdom that was once spoken to him in Ducky’s signature Scottish brogue.
Off the autopsy table, he’s also grown. Jimmy’s friendship with Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) has sparked intrigue, with subtle hints of romantic tension. For a man who has suffered so much loss, the possibility of love again has resonated deeply with viewers.
“I love that he’s not the same guy from Season 1,” Dietzen said. “He’s grown, matured, and lived through real pain. But he still shows up for people.”
Why Jimmy Matters
In a show that has seen more car chases, plot twists, and cast changes than most can count, Jimmy Palmer is an anomaly. He didn’t arrive with a gun or a catchphrase. He didn’t have a mysterious past or a tortured secret. What he had — and continues to have — is heart.
Palmer represents the kind of hero we don’t often see on television: the one who listens, who feels deeply, and who heals others while still healing himself.
He’s the reminder that being strong doesn’t always mean being loud. Sometimes, strength looks like compassion. Sometimes, it looks like choosing kindness — over and over again — in a world that often forgets how powerful it can be.
Final Thoughts
As NCIS prepares for its future — new spin-offs, younger faces, and evolving missions — Jimmy Palmer stands as a bridge between eras. He carries the wisdom of the past and the promise of what’s still to come.
Not bad for the guy who once dropped a spleen on the autopsy floor.
