As the NCIS franchise approaches its 1,000th episode, fans are buzzing about the latest on-screen romance. TVLine recently caught up with Brian Dietzen (Dr. Jimmy Palmer) and Katrina Law (Jessica Knight) on set during the filming of this milestone episode.
Dietzen and Law’s characters officially got together in the penultimate episode of Season 20, with Jimmy’s surprise declaration of love: “I love you, Jess.” Now in Season 21, their relationship, affectionately dubbed “Knight in Shining Palmer,” faces some bumps ahead.
Dietzen hinted at the rocky road ahead for Jimmy and Jessica, saying, “Love isn’t always a straight path; it sometimes takes detours and bumps.” These bumps may be intensified by the arrival of Russell Wong, who will join the cast as Jessica’s father. Law describes him as “a big deal in the NCIS world” who “kind of kicks ass a little,” suggesting his introduction could complicate things for the couple. Dietzen noted that Wong’s character “is not exactly the best introduction Jimmy could have had to his girlfriend’s father.”
As for the landmark 1,000th episode, showrunner David North teased significant drama, hinting that a beloved character will face grave danger, with elements from all NCIS franchises converging. Longtime fans can also expect nods to the show’s history, with hidden Easter eggs for those watching closely.
NCIS airs on CBS Mondays at 9 p.m. ET, with the highly anticipated 1,000th episode set to air on April 15.
