What happened to Jimmy's wife on NCIS? Everything you should know
What happened to Jimmy's wife on NCIS? Breena Palmer died off-screen from COVID-19 complications. The heartbreaking storyline leading to Breena's death on NCIS was revealed in season 18, episode 7. But was there more to her sudden death than the show let on?
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jimmy Palmer’s wife died off-screen in season 18, episode 7 of NCIS from COVID-19 complications.
- Her death was a deliberate storyline choice by the producers to demonstrate the real-world impact of the pandemic without removing a main character.
- Breena returned in season 19, episode 13, in a dreamlike vision.
What happened to Jimmy's wife on NCIS?
Breena’s death occurred in the 7th episode of season 18 of the show after succumbing to COVID-19 complications. This left Jimmy to raise their daughter. Victoria alone.
Breena first appeared in season 7 as a warm-hearted mortician who quickly formed a close bond with Jimmy. Their romance grew and later led to marriage. Instead of a dramatic on-screen farewell, her death was revealed quietly. This left both the characters and the audience to feel the weight of her absence.
NCIS has written out many characters over the years, but this loss struck a deeper chord. It unfolded during a time when the real world was facing the same pandemic that claimed Breena’s life.
Was Breena’s death more than just a storyline?
What happened to Breena on NCIS was not caused by the usual off-screen factors, such as an actor leaving or contract talks breaking down. The NCIS team made a deliberate choice to reflect the real-world impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brian Dietzen, who plays Jimmy, said the producers told him early on that they wanted the pandemic to affect the team without killing off a main character.
Source: Instagram
Brian revealed that he was told about Breena’s fate before receiving the script. It was explained to him that the producers wanted the impact of COVID-19 to be felt within the team without removing a main character. It was considered a powerful storytelling choice, one that would evoke emotions and be fitting for the time.
"In the history of NCIS, when major things have happened in our country or in the world, there have been stories about it," he added.
The show could explore the emotional toll without showing the worst of her illness by writing Breena’s death off-screen. It echoed the reality many faced in 2020 after losing loved ones without the chance to be with them.
Did Breena return to NCIS?
Yes, she returns in season 19, episode 13. The return, however, was not as a living character. She appeared in an emotional, dreamlike vision experienced by Jimmy while he was fighting for his life after being exposed to a deadly toxin. The scene was created to give Jimmy the farewell he never received when her COVID-19 death was revealed off-screen.
In the vision, she comforted him and urged him to keep fighting. The moment offered both Jimmy and the audience a sense of closure while demonstrating the lasting influence she had on his life.
Jimmy’s life after Breena
Jimmy Palmer’s story changed after Breena’s death. The show would now focus more on grief and resilience after a heavy loss before eventually starting over. This led to him developing a relationship with Special Agent Jessica Knight.
The two began dating near the end of season 19. This caught a lot of fans off guard because it broke the show’s usual pattern of slow-building romances between main characters.
Their relationship was later tested after Knight accepted a promotion to become a REACT training officer. The role would require her to relocate, bringing their romance to an end.
Source: Instagram
Did the two get back together? No, they did not. Showrunner Steven D. Binder has suggested that future episodes may explore their situation and the possibility of rekindling their relationship.
Who plays Breena in NCIS?
Actress Michelle Pierce portrays Breena Palmer on NCIS. While she is most recognised for her role on NCIS, Pierce has built a successful career with appearances in both television and film. Her TV work includes guest spots on CSI: NY, Criminal Minds, Days of Our Lives, and Rules of Engagement.
Pierce has also worked in film. She appeared in the 2013 drama Brother’s Keeper alongside Michael Rooker and Ray Wise. She was also part of the first Transformers and starred in the horror thriller The Monkey’s Paw in 2013.
FAQs about Jimmy's wife on NCIS
- How did Jimmy's wife die on NCIS? Jimmy's wife, Breena Palmer, died on NCIS from COVID-19 complications.
- When did Breena die on NCIS? Breena died on NCIS in season 18, episode 7.
- Who plays Breena Palmer on NCIS? Breena Palmer on NCIS is played by actress Michelle Pierce.
- Did Breena Palmer return to NCIS after her death? Breena Palmer returned to NCIS after her death in season 19, episode 13, appearing in a dreamlike vision experienced by Jimmy.
- Why did the NCIS producers kill off Breena Palmer? The NCIS producers killed off Breena Palmer to demonstrate the real-world impact of the COVID-19 pandemic without removing a main character.
- Did Jimmy Palmer remarry on NCIS? Jimmy Palmer did not remarry on NCIS, but he began dating Special Agent Jessica Knight in season 19.
- How many children did Jimmy and Breena Palmer have on NCIS? Jimmy and Breena Palmer had one child on NCIS, a daughter named Victoria.
Final word
What happened to Jimmy's wife on NCIS caught everyone by surprise. Her absence deeply impacted Jimmy’s character arc by shifting his journey towards resilience and new relationships. The show used her loss to bring real-world tragedy into its storytelling, showing the human cost of the pandemic while keeping the focus on Jimmy’s emotional journey.
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Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
