Brian Dietzen, a prominent actor in the long-running series NCIS, recently opened up about his early experiences on the show during the debut episode of his podcast, NCIS: Partners & Probies. Dietzen, who portrays the beloved Dr Jimmy Palmer, joined the series back in 2004 and has since seen numerous changes in both the cast and the show’s dynamic.
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In a candid discussion with fellow cast member Diona Reasonover, the 48-year-old actor reflected on the significant anxiety he felt in the early seasons of NCIS. He admitted that stepping into the role nearly two decades ago was a deeply intimidating experience. The pressure of performing alongside established actors seemed overwhelming at times, leading to feelings of self-doubt and nervousness.
“When I first joined NCIS, I had a lot of anxiety about going to work,” Dietzen shared. “It manifested itself as cold sweats and swallowing my words more than I would have liked. There were times when I couldn’t be my full self in front of the camera.” These feelings were compounded by the fast-paced demands of television production, making it a challenging environment for a newcomer.
One particularly memorable incident occurred during the show’s third or fourth season when Dietzen found himself confronted with an unexpected script change. He recalled a scene where Dr. Palmer had to explain complex medical information to key characters, including Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon) and Abby (Pauley Perrette). He described receiving a script filled with “medical jargon for two full pages” shortly before filming.
“They told me, ‘We’re doing this in 15 minutes,’ and I felt like I was about to have a heart attack,” he recounted. In a moment of apparent distress, both Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly reached out to him, checking in on his well-being and offering support.
Dietzen’s recounting of Harmon’s encouraging words highlighted the camaraderie that existed within the cast. Harmon reassured him that the challenging scene was meant to test Dietzen’s abilities and push him to deliver his best performance. Following this, his castmates rallied around him, fostering a sense of teamwork that alleviated some of Dietzen’s anxieties.
As the cameras prepared to roll, Pauley Perrette, who left the show in 2018, demonstrated her support in a clever way. She discreetly affixed Dietzen’s lines to the bottom of the camera, ensuring that he could reference them during filming without missing a beat. This small gesture not only helped him nail the take but also solidified the bond he shared with his colleagues.
In the aftermath of that scene, the director praised Dietzen’s performance, which served as a turning point for him. “It was then that I realised my castmates had my back,” he reflected. “That was a real change for me — knowing these people were like a family and wanted to see each other succeed.”
Now, as he continues to portray Dr. Palmer in the show’s twenty-third season, Dietzen acknowledges that the environment has transformed significantly from those early days filled with anxiety. He takes pride in being one of the few original cast members still actively involved with NCIS, and he appreciates the growth he has experienced both as an actor and an individual.
NCIS, which airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, remains a staple of modern television, drawing in millions of viewers. With the introduction of his podcast, Dietzen aims to share more about his journey and the memories he has accumulated throughout his extensive tenure on the show. New episodes of NCIS: Partners & Probies are released concurrently with the series, allowing fans to delve deeper into the lives of their favourite characters and the actors who portray them.
As viewers continue to enjoy the drama and suspense that NCIS offers, Brian Dietzen’s journey serves as a compelling reminder of the challenges and triumphs faced by those in the entertainment industry. His experiences shed light on the importance of support and camaraderie among colleagues in the high-pressure environment of television production.