After years of playing the beloved Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Brian Dietzen has officially confirmed he’s done with NCIS—and fans are in disbelief. His sudden announcement has sent shockwaves through the fandom, as many assumed he’d continue as a core member of the team in Season 23. Instead, Dietzen revealed he’s stepping away for good, marking yet another emotional farewell for the long-running series.

In a statement that quickly went viral, Dietzen thanked fans for their unwavering support and reflected on his time with the show. He described the decision as deeply personal, saying it was time to “close this chapter and start something new.” While he didn’t go into full detail, insiders suggest the choice was his alone, and not related to any creative differences.

Viewers took to social media to express their heartbreak, calling Jimmy Palmer the “soul” of the team. Many say the show won’t be the same without his warm, compassionate presence in the morgue. With this exit, NCIS loses another fan favorite, and questions about the future of the series are growing louder.