‘They’ve Settled Into The New Normal’: NCIS Showrunner Teases Where Things Stand With Jessica And Jimmy’s Relationship In Season 22

‘They’ve Settled Into The New Normal’: NCIS Showrunner Teases Where Things Stand With Jessica And Jimmy’s Relationship In Season 22

As a long-time fan of NCIS, I’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of relationships within the team, but the dynamic between Jimmy Palmer and Jessica Knight has been a breath of fresh air. Their chemistry was palpable from the moment they started interacting, and their relationship progression felt natural and engaging. The heartbreak of seeing them part ways was bittersweet, yet I’m eager to see how they navigate their new normal in Season 22.


Following her guest appearances in the last two episodes of NCIS Season 18, Katrina Law continued with the role of Jessica Knight as a regular character in Season 19. Quickly, Jessica’s character developed a romantic connection with Brian Dietzen’s Jimmy Palmer. By the end of that season, they were essentially in a relationship, but unfortunately, this romance concluded in the Season 21 finale when Jessica chose to become the new Camp Pendleton REACT instructor. This change has established a “new normal” for their characters as NCIS Season 22 premieres on the 2024 TV schedule. However, it’s inevitable that Jessica and Jimmy will cross paths again at some point.

In a chat with TV Insider, Binder shared some insights into the upcoming Season 22 of NCIS. Topics ranged from why Alden Parker didn’t recognize the girl in his hallucination from “Reef Madness,” to the initial disbanding of the main team at the start of the new season. Regarding Jessica and Jimmy, the showrunner hinted:

Months have passed, and I’ve found myself on the West Coast, taking on a new role as the chief REACT training officer. Life has taken on a different rhythm now that we’re apart, but Jimmy seems to be adjusting just fine – he’s even dipping his toes into the dating pool. We’ll catch a glimpse of that soon enough, though it’s never convenient when distractions arise!

The “World War III” Binder pertains to a small matter that NCIS is dealing with, which could potentially escalate into something larger. They aim to prevent this from happening. This situation, according to the binder, is like an ongoing episode with high risks that could explode when it comes to this broader threat, but also carries significant implications for Jimmy Palmer and Jessica Knight personally. In their upcoming conversation during Part 3, they will continue to investigate who and what this matter is, its potential outcomes, and what it’s not going to be.

When asked about discussing the development of their characters’ romantic arc with actors Brian Dietzen and Katrina Law, Steven Binder confirmed that he had indeed discussed it.

If an actor genuinely cares for their role, as our team members undoubtedly do, they’ll exhibit a sense of protection. They’ll develop feelings and thoughts about their character. I checked both of their temperatures, so let me know your thoughts on this. What’s your current stance? Interestingly enough, they offered contrasting views on how their characters would react. This could be quite valuable, don’t you think? In case you find it less than appealing, I’ll gladly shoulder the blame, as I jokingly hinted earlier. [Laughs]

I don’t typically enjoy romantic storylines, but I found the pairing of Jimmy and Jessica quite refreshing, a departure from the ongoing will-they-won’t-they situation between Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, followed by Nick Torres and Ellie Bishop. As Katrina Law continues to be part of the main cast on NCIS, we can expect Jessica to return to Washington D.C. at some point, which might give Jimmy and her a chance to reconcile. If that doesn’t happen, at least we can hope for a lasting friendship between them… although it remains to be seen if that will actually materialize.

Don’t miss out on Jimmy and Jessica’s shared moments! Tune in to NCIS with your Paramount+ subscription on October 14 at 8 pm ET. The new season (NCIS Season 22) starts then, followed right away by NCIS: Origins, a prequel focusing on Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Enjoy the ride!

Read More

2024-09-12 15:07