Brian Dietzen has been a stalwart presence on NCIS, joining the show in Season 1 as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, who replaced Gerald Jackson after he was injured. Over the years, Palmer developed a close professional and personal bond with Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, portrayed by the late David McCallum. Their camaraderie spanned two decades on the NCIS set, marked by memorable moments and shared experiences.
Recently, Dietzen shared a story on the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast about McCallum’s advice during the filming of the Season 3 episode “Switch.” In the episode, Palmer was supposed to run down a hill and sprain his ankle. Initially reluctant to use a stunt double for a seemingly simple scene, Dietzen recalled how McCallum insisted he request one, emphasizing the importance of giving a fellow performer a day’s work, even if it wasn’t ultimately needed.
McCallum, renowned for his extensive acting career including iconic roles like Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., brought his wisdom and camaraderie to the NCIS set. His support for Dietzen reflected his respect for the craft and his desire to ensure opportunities for fellow actors.
Dietzen and McCallum anchored NCIS’ autopsy team until Ducky’s departure in Season 15 to teach and later embark on a book tour. By Season 16, Palmer officially took over as Chief Medical Examiner. McCallum continued to make occasional appearances as Ducky, serving as the NCIS historian and lending his expertise to pivotal cases. McCallum’s passing in September 2023 was commemorated in the Season 21 episode “The Stories We Leave Behind,” which Dietzen co-wrote with Scott Williams.
Fans can revisit Ducky and Palmer’s journey across 20 seasons on Paramount+. NCIS Season 22 is set to premiere this fall alongside the Leroy Jethro Gibbs-centric prequel NCIS: Origins.