As the long-running CBS franchise returns this week, star Brian Dietzen tells Military.com why now was the right time to launch a behind-the-scenes podcast and reflect on NCIS’ legacy.
After more than two decades on television, the NCIS franchise is entering another major milestone.
The long-running CBS procedural returns with its midseason premiere as the franchise prepares to celebrate its 500th episode later this month—a rare achievement in modern television. At the same time, the network is launching a new behind-the-scenes podcast hosted by series veterans Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover, which will take fans deeper into the world of NCIS.
For Dietzen, who has played Dr. Jimmy Palmer for more than 20 years, the timing felt right to reflect on the show’s legacy while the franchise continues to grow. With three series now airing on Tuesday nights and the flagship show nearing its 500th episode, NCIS is experiencing a rare moment for a television drama: celebrating its past while continuing to expand its universe.
That momentum, Dietzen said in an exclusive interview with Military.com, made now the ideal time to launch a companion podcast for fans.
It felt like the right time because we’ve got the NCIS night back again. We can celebrate a show that has such a legacy but is still on the air.
The Tuesday night lineup now includes NCIS, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney, putting the franchise back at the center of CBS’s primetime schedule.
The new podcast, NCIS: Partners & Probies, aims to give fans a closer look at how the series has stayed on the air for more than 23 seasons.
NCIS Returns With Its Midseason Premiere
When NCIS first premiered in 2003 as a spinoff of JAG, few have predicted it would become one of the most durable procedural dramas in television history.
More than 20 years later, the show continues to draw millions of viewers weekly and has expanded into a global franchise, now including multiple spinoffs and a massive international audience.
The midseason premiere marks the beginning of a busy stretch for the show as it approaches episode 500—a milestone reached by only a handful of scripted television series.
For Dietzen, who joined the show in its first season and eventually became a series regular, the longevity of NCIS is still something he doesn’t take for granted.
Part of the show’s appeal, he said, comes from its focus on the characters rather than simply the cases. He reflected on the show’s storytelling approach.
Our shows are not ripped from the headlines, they’re ripped from the characters.
That character-driven storytelling has helped the series maintain its audience through major cast changes, evolving storylines and shifting viewing habits across the TV landscape.
New Podcast Takes Fans Behind the Scenes
Launching alongside the show’s return is NCIS: Partners & Probies, a new weekly podcast that will explore the history and behind-the-scenes stories of the franchise.
Hosted by Dietzen and Reasonover, who plays forensic scientist Kasie Hines, the podcast will feature conversations with actors, producers, writers and other creative forces who have helped shape the NCIS universe over the past two decades.
Rather than simply recapping episodes, the podcast takes an interview-driven approach, diving deeper into how the show is made and the people behind it. Guests will include cast members from across the broader NCIS franchise as well as directors, producers and technical consultants who help ensure the show accurately portrays the work of investigators and military personnel.
Dietzen said the format will also give fans the chance to submit questions for guests, allowing the audience to participate directly in the conversations.
For longtime viewers, the podcast offers a rare opportunity to hear from the people responsible for creating one of television’s longest-running franchises.
The Road to Episode 500
The upcoming 500th episode of NCIS, airing March 24, represents a major milestone not just for the show but for network television as a whole.
In an era when many streaming series struggle to reach even a few seasons, hitting 500 episodes places NCIS in rare company among television dramas. The show has built its longevity through a mix of procedural storytelling, evolving character relationships, and a tone that balances drama, humor and emotional moments.
Over the years, the series has followed agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as they investigate crimes involving members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps—ranging from espionage and terrorism to murder cases that impact military families.
The formula has proven remarkably resilient, allowing the show to remain relevant even as the television industry continues to evolve.
Now, with three separate NCIS shows airing and a new podcast expanding the franchise, the brand appears stronger than ever.
Why the Show Resonates With Military Audiences
For many viewers, particularly those connected to the military community, NCIS has long offered a mix of entertainment and familiarity.
The show frequently works with real-life military advisers and consultants to ensure that its depictions of investigations involving the Navy and Marine Corps remain grounded in reality.
Over the years, Dietzen said he has heard countless stories from service members who watched the series while deployed overseas or during downtime between missions. In fact, he recalled sending DVDs of the show to a relative serving abroad before streaming services became common.
Those experiences have made the show’s connection to military audiences especially meaningful for the cast and crew.
We feel so honored that we get to entertain our troops in any way.
As the franchise prepares to hit its 500th episode and launch a new podcast exploring its history, Dietzen hopes the show continues to offer viewers—including service members stationed around the world—a chance to relax and connect with characters who have become familiar faces over the years.
"I’m hoping this podcast serves to entertain and inform the people that help us every single day," Dietzen said.
Skip navigation Search Create 9+ Avatar image Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover Set the Stage for NCIS Partners & Probies
After more than two decades on the air, NCIS shows no signs of slowing down. And with episode 500 on the horizon, the franchise appears poised to keep growing. For fans who have followed the team since the beginning, the next chapter of the franchise is just getting started.
All three series in the NCIS universe—NCIS, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney—returned to CBS on March 3, bringing the franchise back to a full night of programming for fans.
New episodes air on CBS and are also available to stream on Paramount+ after broadcast.
The companion podcast, NCIS: Partners & Probies, hosted by Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover, is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms. You can watch the very first episode in the video above.
Upcoming guests include:
- March 3: Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover (launch episode)
- March 10: Wilmer Valderrama (NCIS)
- March 17: Mariel Molino (NCIS: Origins)
- March 24: Frank Cardea and Steve Binder (showrunner roundtable)
