NCIS spans almost two decades
NCIS has been on television for the longest of any naval procedurals, and it has a history going back almost two decades. However, only three of the cast’s original members are still present: Sean Murray, who portrays Agent Timothy McGee, David McCallum, who plays Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, and Brian Dietzen, who plays the loving Dr. Jimmy Palmer.
Brian Dietzen weighs in on NCIS’s endgame
In a candid conversation with Looper last year, Brian shared his perspectives on the show’s potential curtain call. Though he humorously envisioned the drama extending to its 40th season, culminating in Jimmy’s retirement, Brian acknowledged the unpredictability of such outcomes.
Asked about his envisioned grand finale for both the show and Jimmy, Brian remarked, “We’re halfway there; Season 40 is when we’ll stop. It’s probably going to happen with Jimmy’s retirement … No, I have no idea.” Brian’s light-hearted response sheds light on the overarching sentiment within the NCIS team. “The cool part is, if you asked our writing staff or the other actors on this show, you wouldn’t get any similar answers,” he observed. This disparity in envisioned endings isn’t due to a lack of cohesion but rather an emphasis on the journey.
Brian said: “I don’t think any of us are focusing on the ending of the show, considering what the ratings still are and how much fun we’re still having.” He said, emphasizing the need of good storytelling, “Let’s keep focusing on those great arcs.” Brian and his colleagues focus on the narrative journey rather than the end result. He was hopeful: “If the time comes… one of those arcs is going to lead us to the Promised Land and to the ‘NCIS’ ending.” Brian doesn’t feel compelled to write a conclusion, though, given the ratings’ consistency.
Reflecting on Mark Harmon’s departure
The recent seasons witnessed significant shifts in the cast, with Mark Harmon’s departure being particularly poignant. As he reflected on his time spent working with Mark, Brian said, “On a personal note, I’m really thankful I got to work with Mark and call him a friend for that many years.”
He said, “I feel similarly about everyone I’ve worked with there, and I’m grateful for the ties that have developed over the years. For twenty years, it has been a great, wonderful location.
The cast changes as the show does. In response, Brian said, “As people come into our set and people go, it feels like you’re making new family members and you’re making new friends all the time.” Brian also highlighted this ongoing shift as an opportunity to create new connections. However, Mark’s absence, a key character in NCIS, is unquestionably significant. Brian referred to it as a “massive change.”