In the season 21 finale of NCIS, Katrina Law’s character, Special Agent Jessica Knight, shocked fans by accepting the position of Chief React Training Officer at Camp Pendleton, choosing her career over her NCIS team and boyfriend Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen).
Co-showrunner Steve D. Binder hinted at what this decision means for Knight’s future on the series in a recent interview with TVLine. He suggested that while they’ve set up a departure for Knight, NCIS has a history of characters seeming to leave only to return unexpectedly, much like Gibbs (Mark Harmon).
Binder compared Knight’s potential exit to the departure of Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), emphasizing that her decision involves career aspirations and the complexities of her relationship with Palmer. Despite being somewhat cryptic about the upcoming season, Binder assured fans that the creative team aims to deliver satisfying storylines that could evoke both bittersweet and joyful reactions.
Throughout season 21, Knight and Palmer faced relationship challenges, exacerbated by Knight’s career ambitions and past trauma. Law, 38, hinted at the ongoing drama, expressing her enjoyment of working with Dietzen and her hope for the characters’ future.
Dietzen, 46, praised the writers for portraying a mature love story focused on communication rather than mere romantic tension. He emphasized the joy of collaborating with Law and exploring their characters’ evolving relationship.
Season 22 of NCIS is set to premiere on CBS in fall 2024, promising further developments in Knight and Palmer’s storyline amid the ever-evolving dynamics of the team.