Jimmy Palmer has endured a long and painful journey to become the chief medical examiner on NCIS.
Since Brian Dietzen became a series regular on NCIS in 2012, at the beginning of Season 10, Dietzen’s character, medical examiner Jimmy Palmer, has become an increasingly prominent figure in the series, in which Dietzen is one of only two cast members, along with Sean Murray, who has appeared in each of the show’s 21 seasons. Palmer originally served as the assistant to the venerable Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, played by David McCallum, before becoming the NCIS chief medical exam iner in 2019, in Season 16, when Ducky left the position and assumed the newfound position of NCIS historian.
Dietzen and Palmer’s seniority on NCIS intensified in the Season 21 premiere episode, which ends with NCIS Special Agent Alden Parker receiving a call from a distressed Palmer, who informs Parker that Ducky died in his sleep. The ensuing episode opens with Palmer entering Ducky’s house and then Ducky’s bedroom, where Palmer solemnly watches over Ducky’s dead body.
Ducky’s death represents just the latest devastating personal loss for Palmer, who previously lost his wife, Breena Palmer, who died in Season 18. However, while the news of Ducky’s death was foreshadowed by the announcement of McCallum’s death on September 25, 2023, Breena’s death came as a total shock, especially since her death happened off-screen. Moreover, the circumstances of Breena’s death prevented Palmer from being able to be with her before she died.