Home / Arts and Entertainment / NCIS Actor Fought for Character's Voice, Now Co-Writes Episodes
NCIS Actor Fought for Character's Voice, Now Co-Writes Episodes
3 Mar
Summary
- Brian Dietzen voiced concerns about Jimmy Palmer sounding too much like Ducky.
- Showrunner Steven Binder allowed Dietzen to write episodes.
- Dietzen has co-written four NCIS episodes since 2019.
Brian Dietzen, a long-standing cast member on NCIS, has evolved from a guest actor playing Jimmy Palmer to a significant contributor behind the scenes. Initially a three-episode guest role, his character became central to the CBS procedural.
Dietzen recently shared that he approached NCIS showrunner Steven Binder with concerns that Jimmy Palmer's dialogue was becoming too similar to that of Ducky Mallard, the former medical examiner. Dietzen feared the character might lose his unique voice.
This proactive feedback was well-received. Binder not only listened to Dietzen but also empowered him to showcase his writing talents. Since 2019, Dietzen has co-written four episodes of NCIS.
His writing credits include the Season 21 episode honoring the late David McCallum and the recent Season 23 episode, "Stolen Moments," which incorporated an AI chatbot. This collaboration has ensured Jimmy Palmer's character maintains a distinct identity, with Dietzen now playing a role in shaping his narrative.
